Ecological aspects of bivalve adaptation to salinity fluctuations on the example of Anadara Kagoshimensis

Abstract Impact of salinity stress on the ark clam (Anadara kagoshimensis (Tokunaga, 1906)) hemocyte functions were investigated using flow cytometry and light scattering technique. In control group water salinity was 18 ppm and experimental groups were carried at 14 ppm, 8 ppm, 35 ppm and 45 ppm. Hemolymph osmolarity decreased at hypoosmotic conditions and increased after hyperosmotic treatment. Osmotic stress induced changes in osmotic fragility of the ark clam hemocytes. Salinity 14 ppm did not affect the functional parameters of hemocytes. Incubation of ark clams at salinity and 35 ppm did not influence on the mitochondrial membrane potential of hemocytes but led to a decrease in hemocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by 30 % compared to control. An increase in water salinity to 45 ppm and its decrease to 8 ppm induced substantial changes in the ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential of hemocytes. Hyposalinity (8 ppm) led to an increase in ROS production by hemocytes (up to 2.4 times) and mitochondrial membrane potential (up to 1.3 times). An increase of salinity level from 18 ppm to 45 ppm decreased the total ability of hemocytes to produce ROS by 11% and increased mitochondrial potential of hemocytes by 150%.