Christopher J. Salice
Reynaldo Patino
Jamie G. Suski
2012
<p>Freshwater salinization is a global concern partly attributable to anthropogenic salt contamination. The authors examined the effects of increased salinity (as NaCl, 250-4,000 µS/cm, specific conductance) on two sympatric freshwater gastropods (<i>Helisoma trivolvis</i> and <i>Physa pomillia</i>). Life stage sensitivities were determined by exposing naive eggs or naive juveniles (through adulthood and reproduction). Additionally, progeny eggs from the juvenile-adult exposures were maintained at their respective parental salinities to examine transgenerational effects. Naive <i>H. trivolvis</i> eggs experienced delayed development at specific conductance > 250 µS/cm; reduced survivorship and reproduction were also seen in juvenile <i>H. trivolvis</i> at 4,000 µS/cm. Survival and growth of <i>P. pomilia</i> were not affected by increased salinity following egg or juvenile exposures. Interestingly, the progeny of <i>H. trivolvis</i> exposed to higher salinity may have gained tolerance to increased salinity whereas <i>P. pomilia</i> progeny may have experienced negative transgenerational effects. The present study demonstrates that freshwater snail species vary in their tolerance to salinization and also highlights the importance of multigenerational studies, as stressor impacts may not be readily apparent from shorter term exposures.</p>
application/pdf
10.1002/etc.1972
en
Elsevier Science
Species-specific and transgenerational responses to increasing salinity in sympatric freshwater gastropods
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