Physiological Responses of the Ark Shell Scapharca broughtonii (Bivalvia: Arcidae) to Decreases in Salinity

The ark shell (or 'blood clam') Scapharca broughtonii is a filter-feeding bivalve that has red blood and inhabits waters approximately 10m in depth off the southern coast of South Korea. This study was part of a larger research project investigating the causes of death and restoration of shellfish resources, which are important aquaculture products in South Korea. We examined physiological responses related to survival, respiration, excretion, and amino acid changes as a result of changes in salinity. The 9-day median lethal salinity ($LS_{50}$) was 16.5 psu with confidence limits of 14.9-18.1 psu. At $25^{\circ}C$, the oxygen consumption and ammonia-nitrogen excretion rates were increased with decreases in salinity. Although the osmolality of individuals was acclimated within 2 h at 26.4 psu and 12 h at 19.8 psu, it took more than 5 days at a salinity of 13.2 psu, whereas no individuals acclimated and all died at a salinity of 6.6 psu. Of the amino acids present in the blood, taurine and alanine increased in response to decreased salinity. Tissues of the gill and the mid-gut gland were affected by decreasing salinity. These data will provide important fundamental information for examining the causes of mass mortality of shellfish in the summer.