The effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on the gaping activity and feeding of mussels

Christoforou, E., Dominoni, D. , Lindstrom, J. , Diamantopoulou, C., Czyzewski, J., Mirzai, N. and Spatharis, S. (2023) The effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on the gaping activity and feeding of mussels. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 192, 115105. (doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115105) (PMID:37290299)

Abstract

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is a common environmental pollutant which affects >22 % of the world's coastlines. However, the impact of ALAN wavelengths on coastal organisms is under-investigated. Here, we tested the impact of red, green, and white ALAN on the gaping activity and phytoplankton consumption of Mytilus edulis mussels and compared these to dark night. Mussels exhibited a semi-diel activity pattern. Although ALAN did not significantly affect the time open nor the phytoplankton consumption, it did have a colour-specific effect on the gaping frequency with red and white ALAN resulting in lower activity compared to the dark night. Green ALAN caused higher gaping frequency and a negative relationship between consumption and proportion of time open compared to the other treatments. Our findings suggest colour-specific ALAN effects on mussels and call for further investigation on the associated physiological mechanisms and potential ecological consequences.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lindstrom, Dr Jan and Mirzai, Mr Nosrat and Czyzewski, Mr Jakub and Christoforou, Eleni and Spatharis, Dr Sofie and Dominoni, Dr Davide and Diamantopoulou, Ms Christina
• Authors: Christoforou, E., Dominoni, D., Lindstrom, J., Diamantopoulou, C., Czyzewski, J., Mirzai, N., and Spatharis, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0025-326X
• ISSN (Online): 1879-3363
• Published Online: 07 June 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
• First Published: First published in Marine Pollution Bulletin 192:115105
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy