Abstract
Patella ferruginea is a giant patellid limpet endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It presently is in danger of extinction, and many have called for developing conservation measures including the mass production of spats for re-introduction projects. However, so far all attempts have been relatively unsuccessful. Previous work analyzing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the recruitment of patellid limpets has shown that larvae respond to the presence of this signaling molecule. This response could explain the gregarious distribution typical of this species. In the present study, we demonstrated that GABA is naturally secreted by P. ferruginea in the pedal mucus. GABA is preferentially secreted during the summer, coinciding with the reproductive resting period of the species. Further research should aim to analyze the effects of GABA on larval development and metamorphosis in order to assess its potential use to improve conservation efforts.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Donovan DA, Carefoot TH (1997) Locomotion in the abalone Haliotis kamschatkana: pedal morphology and cost of transport. J Exp Biol 200:1145–1153
Espinosa F, González AR, Maestre MJ, Fa D, Guerra-García JM, García-Gómez JC (2008) Responses of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea to reintroduction under different environmental conditions: survival, growth rates and life history. Ital J Zool 75:371–384
Frenkiel L (1975) Contribution a l’étude des cycles de reproduction des Patellidae en Algérie. PSZ Napoli 39:153–189
García-Lavandeira M, Silva A, Abad M, Pazos AJ, Sánchez JL, Parallé L (2005) Effects of GABA and epinephrine on the settlement and metamorphosis of the larvae of four species of bivalve molluscs. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 316:149–156
Guallart J, Peña JB, Pérez-Larruscaín J, Calvo M, Acevedo I (2013) Estrategias para la obtención mediante técnicas de acuicultura de juveniles de Patella ferruginea (Mollusca, Patellidae), especie “en peligro de extinción” y valoración de su uso para la conservación. Paper presented at the XIV Congreso Nacional de Acuicultura. Gijón, Spain
Hooker N, Morse DE (1985) Abalone: the emerging development of commercial cultivation in the United States. In: Huner JV, Brown EE (eds) Crustacean and mollusc aquaculture in the United States. AVI Publishers, Westport, pp 365–413
Laimek P, Clark S, Stewart M, Pfeffer F, Wanichanon C, Hanna P, Sobhon P (2008) The presence of GABA in gastropod mucus and its role in inducing larval settlement. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 354:182–191
MMAMRM (2008) Estrategia de conservación de la lapa ferrugínea (Patella ferruginea). Conferencia sectorial de Medio Ambiente. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Medio Rural y Marino, Madrid
Morse DE (1984) Biochemical and genetic engineering for improved production of abalones and other valuable molluscs. Aquaculture 39:263–282
Morse DE, Hooker N, Duncan H, Jensen L (1979) Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter induces planktonic abalone larvae to settle and begin metamorphosis. Science 204:407–410
Pawlik JR (1992) Chemical ecology of the settlement of benthic marine invertebrates. Oceanogr Mar Biol Annu Rev 30:273–335
Rivera-Ingraham GA, Espinosa F, García-Gómez JC (2011) Effect of γ-amino butyric acid on limpet populations: towards the future management and conservation of endangered patellid species. J Chem Ecol 37:1–9
Acknowledgments
This study was partially funded by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Fundación Ramón Areces awarded to G.A. Rivera-Ingraham. Additional funding was provided by the HGF (Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres) through the research programme PACES II. We thank Enrique Ostalé Valriberas for help in the sampling process, the Consejería de Medio Ambiente de Ceuta-OBIMASA staff for support, and two anonymous referees for useful comments on the original manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rivera-Ingraham, G.A., Espinosa, F. & Krock, B. Presence of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (Gaba) in the Pedal Mucus of the Critically Endangered Species Patella ferruginea . J Chem Ecol 41, 501–504 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-015-0579-5
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-015-0579-5