Behavioural and physiological responses to salinization and air exposure during the ontogeny of a freshwater South American snail

Salinization is of global concern, threatening freshwater biodiversity. Salinity tolerance is highly variable and therefore needs to be evaluated on a species-specific basis. An estuarine population of Chilina dombeiana, a freshwater gastropod endemic to Chile and classified as vulnerable, has been recently found in the Biobío River’s mouth, suggesting some degree of tolerance to brackish waters. This study evaluated the survival, behaviour (medium preference) and physiology of C. dombeiana when exposed to salinities higher than freshwater, thus elucidating the potential mechanisms used to survive salinization. Chilina dombeiana belongs to the Pulmonate group;, so we evaluated oxygen uptake in air and water, aiming to evaluate emersion as a potential avoidance response to a progressive salinity increase. Complete embryo development was observed for salinities ≤ 16 PSU (practical salinity units) but hatching rates above 50% were only achieved in freshwater (0 PSU). It was also found that salinity had stage-specific effects during embryonic development. In adults, acute exposure to brackish water (12 PSU) caused a decrease in oxygen consumption (compared to freshwater), in the ammonium excretion rates and in the percentage of muscular water content. Although C. dombeiana was able to take up oxygen in both mediums, survival in air decreased over time (days), which correlates with the behavioural preference to remain submerged, even at elevated salinities. Considering the survival of adults and embryos decreased as salinity increased and the lack of an avoidance behaviour or a physiological ability to maintain homeostasis at salinities higher than freshwater, our results suggest this snail could be adversely affected by salinization in the long term. Furthermore, given the ability of C. dombeiana to uptake oxygen in both mediums, it should be considered as a facultative air breather snail, rather than a strictly aquatic species.