Accumulation of bacteriophage T4 by bivalves Unio pictorum and Anodonta cygnea in model experiments

Abstract

Bivalve mollusks are filter feeders that accumulate various particles suspended in water, including viruses. Shellfish also accumulate bacteriophages, but, unfortunately, there is little information about this, despite the fact that these organisms make a significant contribution to the ecology of aquatic communities of living organisms and can be used as a good object for biomonitoring. This knowledge gap prompted us to study in more detail the bioaccumulation of phages by mollusks. As a result of the research, it was revealed that bacteriophages, despite differences in species of mollusk, show a similar bioaccumulation model, where their titer depends on the activity of the mollusk and changes in cycles. The bacteriophage multiplies due to the natural microflora of the animal and can be retained by it due to its filtration type of nutrition.