California sea mussel

The paralytic poison produced by the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax catenella in axenic culture has been isolated in pure form by Schantz et al. (1966). A study of its chemical, physical, and biological properties established that it is identical in chemical structure to saxitoxin, the poison isolated from toxic Alaska butter clams (Saxidomas giganteus) and to the poison isolated from toxic California sea mussels Mytilus californiaus). Infrared spectra were given for G. catenella poison and the mussel poison. 

Work on the chemical structure and properties of the poisons from Alaska butter clam siphons, the hepatopancreas of California mussels, and axenic cultures of G. catenella carried on in the Biological Laboratories and with Rapoport at the University of California definitely established that the sea mussel did not alter the poison obtained from G. catenella. The poison from all three sources had identical structures (31). The situation with the Alaska butter clam may be different however in light of the different saxitoxin derivatives recently found in the dinoflagellates in that region. Perhaps the clam converts the sulfo and sulfate derivatives to the more toxic saxitoxin. 

Mussels. Mytilus californianus were usually collected at low tide in the rocky, intertidal zone of Schoolhouse Beach near Bodega Bay (Sonoma Co.) on the central California coast. Other sites have included Salt Point, Bodega Head, and Fort Bragg. Animals were used on the coast or transported to Davis where they were maintained in aerated aquaria containing Instant 0ceanR Synthetic Sea Salt (1.025 specific gravity, 11°C, 12/12 L/D). Except as noted, mussels were used within 2 weeks. 

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