CLAS submission

2. A Natural Product Molluscicide Tool
To Protect Great Lakes (Freshwater)
Infrastructure and Tourism from
Invasive Mussels

3. Alex Kuang, Ashley LaCroix, Kishore
Gopalakrishnan PhD, Donna Kashian* PhD –
Department of Biology, Nick Perino PhD, Johnna
Birbeck PhD, Judy Westrick* PhD – Department
of Chemistry

4. Harmful cyanobacterial bloom (HCB) and invasive dreissenid mussel species are both detrimental to
the water ecology and the state economy. HCBs produce secondary toxic and nuisance secondary
metabolites, whereas mussels litter beaches with sharp shells and block drinking water intake pipes.
Primary data suggest that HCB extract can inhibit mussel spawning, our laboratory studied the effect
cyanobacteria have on invasive mussels. We hypothesized that cyanobacteria produce metabolites
that inhibit spawning of Dreissena bugensis (Quagga mussel). The objectives of the study were to
determine if all cyanobacteria inhibited spawning and if chemical communications are present
between cyanobacteria and mussels. Out of the 6 species of cyanobacteria, only M. viridis did not
inhibit spawning whereas M. ichthyoblabe express the greatest degree of inhibition. Further
experimentation is required to develop statistical significance of Spawning Assay. The chemical
communication experiment was assessed by quantifying cyanopeptides by comparing the solution
of cyanobacteria pre- and post-exposed to Quagga mussel using a LC/MS/MS. Only 2 cyanopeptides,
Oscillaginin A and Anabaenopeptin B were quantified from the 10 standards cyanopeptides only
when the cyanobacteria were exposed to the mussel. These data suggests that Oscillaginin A and
Anabaenopeptin B are used in chemical communication between the Oscillaginin A and
Anabaenopeptin B. Further investigation is needed to determine what chemical is produced
by M. ichthyoblable that inhibits spawning as well as how the chemical communication works
between the mussels and cyanobacteria.
Abstract

5. Negative Impacts on Great
Lakes
• Invasive mussels can outcompete native mussel for resources
• Adult invasive mussels can kill native mussels
• Invasive mussel clogs pipes
• Molluscicide: chemical used to eliminate pests in the garden
• Mollusks includes snails, mussels, scallops, clams, etc…
Hypothesis: Cyanobacteria produce metabolites that
inhibits the spawning of Quagga mussel
Determine if all
cyanobacteria inhibits
spawning of invasive
mussels
Determine if “allomones”
are present between
cyanobacteria and
invasive mussel

6. Methodology/Experimental
Cyanobacteria Consumption
Experiment
Spawning Assay
Allomone Experiment

7. Results and Discussion
Cyanobacteria Consumption
Experiment
Spawning Assay
Allomone Experiment

8. Conclusions
• M. ichthyoblabe was chosen as the model cyanobacteria to further
our research for Quagga mussel spawning inhibition
• M. ichthyoblabe was not consumed by the Quagga mussel
• M. ichthyoblabe had the largest inhibition on Quagga mussel
spawning
• Chemical communication between Quagga mussel and cyanobacteria
• We quantified the allomones, Oscillaginin A and and
Anabaenopeptin B, were observed after exposed to Quagga
mussels at low to mid PPT levels.
• These were observed in all 5 species of cyanobacteria

9. Acknowledgments
• A Special Thank You to:
• Mr. Richard Barber and The Richard Barber Interdisciplinary
Research Programs
• Dr. Christopher Kelly
• Dr. Nicholas Johnson and the USGS
• DR. Donna Kashian, Dr. Kishore Gopalakrishnan, and Katrina
Lewandowski
• Dr. Judy Westrick, Dr. Nicholas Perino, Dr. Johnna Birbeck, and
Elliot Furr