Comparison of biological characteristics and mussel settlement inducing capabilities of two benthic diatom biofilms

Yang Yu; Wang Duyi; Li Ruihua; Yang Jinlong; Liang Xiao

doi:10.12284/hyxb2025132

Volume 47 Issue 11

Nov. 2025

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Yang Yu，Wang Duyi，Li Ruihua, et al. Comparison of biological characteristics and mussel settlement inducing capabilities of two benthic diatom biofilms[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(11)：121–130 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025132

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Comparison of biological characteristics and mussel settlement inducing capabilities of two benthic diatom biofilms

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025132

Yang Yu^{1, 2
,},
Wang Duyi^{1, 2},
Li Ruihua^{1, 2},
Yang Jinlong^{1, 2, 3},
Liang Xiao^{1, 2, 3
,
,}

1.
College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
2.
International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
3.
Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Aquatic Animal Breed Creation and Green Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China

Received Date: 2025-08-18
Rev Recd Date: 2025-09-28

Available Online: 2025-10-11

Publish Date: 2025-11-30

Abstract

Abstract

Diatoms, as an important component of biofilms, can induce the settlement of invertebrates such as mussels. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by diatom play important roles in the induction process. However, the mechanism by which diatoms promote mussel settlement remains unclear. Diatom EPS typically consists of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and other substances, with specific composition varying among species. To investigate the biological characteristics of different diatom biofilms and their ability to induce the settlement of Mytilus coruscus, two strains of diatoms were isolated and purified from natural biofilms in this study. After a cultivation period of 21 days, the chlorophyll a content and density of the diatom biofilm were measured. Moreover, its inducing activity on mussel settlement was investigated. Bound EPS from marine diatom biofilms was extracted using a hot solvent extraction method, and the content of polysaccharides and proteins was measured. The results showed that the biofilm of Navicula pelliculosa had high induction activity for mussel larvae settlement (63.8%), while the biofilm of Nitzschia traheaformis showed no difference from the blank group. Analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that Navicula pelliculosa biofilm contained more extracellular polysaccharides, with water-insoluble polysaccharide components accounting for 51.49%. In contrast, Nitzschia traheaformis biofilms contained a higher proportion of protein components. This study preliminarily explored the biological characteristics of different marine diatom biofilms, providing theoretical support for understanding how diatom biofilm extracellular substances induce mussel larvae settlement.
- Diatoms,
- biofilm,
- extracellular polysaccharides,
- Mytilus coruscus,
- settlement

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References(50)

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