Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Environmental Surveillance Laboratory Network (LRSE), University of Oran1 Ahmed Ben Bella, 31000, Oran, Algeria
2
Department of Biology, Natural Science, and Life Science Faculty, 20 August 1955 University, Skikda, Algeria.
3
Labatory of eco-development of space, University Djillali Liabes, Sidi Bel Abbès, 22000, Algeria.
10.21608/ejabf.2025.409649.6324
Abstract
This study investigates the seasonal and spatial variability of physiological indices in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819), collected from four coastal stations along the western Algerian coastline: Mostaganem Harbor (S1), Pointe de l’Aiguille (S2), Oran Harbor (S3), and Honaine (S4). Three key biomarkers — the condition index (CI), repletion index (RI), and gonado-somatic index (GSI) — were analyzed as indicators of mussel health and environmental quality across four seasons.
Seasonal and spatial differences were assessed using ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (CAH) to evaluate the contribution of each physiological index to temporal and spatial structuring. The results revealed clear seasonal dynamics, with summer representing the peak physiological phase, particularly at S1 (CI: 62.11 ± 2.31; RI: 48.23 ± 2.12; GSI: 18.22 ± 1.45), followed by a marked decline during winter. Spatially, S1 and S2 exhibited consistently high indices, reflecting favorable trophic or environmental conditions, while S3 showed persistently lower values, potentially indicating anthropogenic stress or habitat degradation. Station S4 maintained stable and moderate index values, suggesting environmental resilience and its suitability as a reference site. ANOVA indicated a significant influence of both site and season on CI (P< 0.05), a seasonal effect on RI (P< 0.05), and no significant variation in GSI. PCA clarified the contribution of each index to seasonal and spatial structuring, highlighting the independence of somatic and reproductive parameters. CAH revealed distinct groupings of stations and seasons, which were linked to potential environmental drivers such as pollution gradients, hydrodynamic regimes, and anthropogenic pressures, reinforcing PCA findings. These findings underscore the value of M. galloprovincialis physiological indices as reliable, sensitive, and cost-effective tools for coastal biomonitoring. Highlighting their relevance for environmental monitoring, the results confirm that these indices respond to both natural fluctuations and human-induced pressures, making them suitable for detecting ecosystem changes along the Mediterranean coasts.
Keywords
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