The effect of alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions on the rhythmic activity of glochidia of the freshwater mussel Anodonta cygnea L.

Lábos, Elemér and Salánki, János (1963) The effect of alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions on the rhythmic activity of glochidia of the freshwater mussel Anodonta cygnea L. A Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Tihanyi Biológiai Kutatóintézetének évkönyve, 30. pp. 45-57. ISSN 0365-3005

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Abstract

Authors investigated the susceptibility of rhythmic activity of glochidia of freshwater mussel to the effect of various ions. 1 X 10⁻⁴ - 2 X 10⁻¹ M solutions of KCl, NaCl, MgCl₂, CaCl₂, LiCl, CsCl and RbCl were applied for the treatment and the number of closing of the embryonal valves were recorded by the minute in the groups of twentyfive glochidia under microscope. The observations lasted for 10 30 minutes in every case separately, depending on necessity. In the course of investigations the followings were established. The about 1 X 10⁻³ M solution of KCl resulted in a considerable increase in activity, lasting even beyond the 30 minutes long period of investigation. A higher concentration of KOI gave rise to the contraction of embryonal adductor muscle resulting in the closing of glochidia. Relatively lasting (10-20 minutes long) increase in activity was produced only by Li+ and Cs+. The degree of this activity, however, was lower than in the case of K+. Other ions yielded only initial increase in activity lasting for some minutes, and closing of glochidia was observable also in these cases upon the application of higher concentrations. The specific effect of KCl is obviously due to its role played in both basic stimulatory processes and membrane depolarization, the lasting rhythmic activity increase itself, however, is based assumedly on those mechanisms of embryonal adductor muscle displaying myogene rhythm, by which it is capable of eliminating both depolarization and contraction produced by K+.

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