Marine mollusks account for the first maximal phylum of marine animals. Given that they are mainly distributed amongst intermediate trophic levels, they play a central role in maintaining the equilibrium of marine ecosystems. Additionally, the majority of the marine molluscan species are edible and have ...
Marine mollusks account for the first maximal phylum of marine animals. Given that they are mainly distributed amongst intermediate trophic levels, they play a central role in maintaining the equilibrium of marine ecosystems. Additionally, the majority of the marine molluscan species are edible and have valuable economic significance. Unfortunately, marine mollusks are facing increasingly detrimental abiotic and biotic stressors. For example, all artificial chemicals eventually enter aquatic ecosystems and are often ingested by aquatic species, including metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nanometer material, and flame retardants. Additionally, aquatic environments are full of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other microorganisms that can harm marine organisms. Due to their sedentary and filter-feeding living style, marine mollusks are more susceptible to the potential effects of xenobiotics. The potential physiological responses and mechanisms developed by marine mollusks to adapt to their complex living environment is a subject worthy of further investigation.
This Research Topic aims to improve our knowledge of the homeostasis maintenance mechanisms of molluscan cells under environmental stimuli. The potential results could inspire clarification of the complex molecular mechanisms of shellfish oxidative stress response.
The following subtopics are covered in the Research Topic, but are not limited to
• Water environmental toxicology
• Marine animal disease research
• Physiological metabolism and behavior of marine mollusks under environmental stress
• Biomarkers for the marine environment
Keywords:
Marine mollusks, environmental stress, biomarkers, physiological response, underlying mechanisms
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.