One-year monitoring of reproductive and energy reserve cycles in transplanted zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)

A 12-month active biomonitoring study was performed in 2008–2009 on a northern French river system using the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha as a sentinel species. Allochtonous mussels originating from a reference site (Commercy) were caged at four sites (Bouy, Sept-Saulx, Fismes, Ardre) within the Vesle River basin. The main objective of the study was to characterize the influence of biotic (sex, food availability) and abiotic (temperature, chemicals) factors on the reproductive and energy reserve (glycogen, lipids) cycles of exposed mussels. Both cycles were markedly disturbed at the Bouy and Sept-Saulx sites where the lowest chlorophyll a levels were recorded during the study. At these sites, mussels obviously faced a negative energy balance, as confirmed by the impairment of their physiological state and byssal attachment. At other exposure sites, reproductive and energy reserves cycles were less impacted but were still dependent on the nutritional state of mussels. The latter appeared as a significant natural confounding factor in ecotoxicological survey performed in low polluted areas.

Research highlights
► Energy reserve and reproductive cycles monitored in transplanted zebra mussels.
► Severe reproductive disturbances noticed in mussels suffering of nutritional stress.
► Reproduction maintained in stressed mussels at expense of body mass and survival.
► Biological responses potentially confounded by food conditions in low polluted areas.