Natural distribution of pure and hybrid Mytilus sp. along the south Mediterranean and North-east Atlantic coasts and sensitivity of D-larvae stages to temperature increases and metal pollution

The distribution of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis extends more and northwards in Atlantic. Crossings are frequently observed with blue edulis along French English coasts. aim this study is firstlyto identify co-presence M. galloprovincialis, edulis, their hybrids different sites Atlantic coasts, to provide insights for thermal tolerance toxicant susceptibility hybrids. Mussels were collected from shore at 20 sampling sitesin Europe Tunisia identified using Me 15/16 primers targeting adhesive protein gene sequence. Samples screened presence alleles PCR. To get information on sensitivities temperature metals, freshly fertilized eggs two species reared four temperatures 18, 20, 22, 24 °C exposed concentrations Cu, Ag, a mixture both metals. Arrests development malformations recorded after 48 h exposure. genotypic identification coasts carried out during confirms pure hybrid mussel. Our results highlighted that larvae female significantly tolerant increases than edulis. No significant interspecies-differences sensitivity noted metal exposure alone. However, co-exposure high higher stresses. overall could allow prediction future evolution populations facing environmental changes.