Marine pollution bulletinApr 23, 2011

How Pacific oyster valve movement and water algae levels relate to toxin buildup in their digestive gland when exposed to Alexandrium minutum

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 5, 2026

Abstract

At a concentration of 10,000 cells/ml, microalgal ingestion by oysters decreased with increasing Alexandrium minutum levels.

The frequency of valve microclosures increased with higher concentrations of Alexandrium minutum in the water.
Opening duration of oyster valves was significantly longer in relation to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning contamination levels measured in their digestive glands.
Oysters showing the greatest increase in valve opening duration also had the highest levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning contamination.

Simplified

The complexity of the relationships between Alexandrium minutum (A.m.) concentration in the water ([A.m.](w)), Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning contamination in the digestive gland ([PSP](dg)) and valve behavior was explored in oysters Crassostrea gigas. Two experiments were conducted, during which oysters' valve behaviour were analyzed. Oysters, first acclimated for 10-days with the non harmful microalgae Heterocapsa triquetra (H.t.), were exposed to four microalgae mixtures at constant total concentrations of 10×10(3)cells ml(-1) (experiment-1) and 5×10(3)cells ml(-1) (experiment-2): 100% A.m.; 50% A.m.-50% H.t.; 25% A.m.-75% H.t.; 100% H.t. At the end of experiment-2, [PSP](dg) were measured. At 10×10(3)cells ml(-1), the microalgal ingestion decreased (p<0.05) with increasing [A.m.](w) but not at 5×10(3)cells ml(-1) (p>0.05). The frequency of microclosures specifically increased with [A.m.](w) (p<0.05) and the opening duration with [PSP](dg) (p<0.0001). Oysters exhibiting the maximum increase in opening duration also exhibited the highest [PSP](dg). The results are discussed in terms of oyster physiology and origin of the behavioral response.

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How Pacific oyster valve movement and water algae levels relate to toxin buildup in their digestive gland when exposed to Alexandrium minutum

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