Metabolic Dynamics of Central Carbon Pathways in Green‐Lipped Mussels under Heat Stress and Subsequent Recovery

Green‐lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus ) aquaculture is vulnerable to environmental changes, which are increasingly being studied to pinpoint physiological, economic and ecological threats. This study utilised a targeted liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry metabolomics approach, focusing on the central carbon metabolism, to examine the metabolic response of P. canaliculus haemolymph to heat stress (30°C) and multi‐point recovery (up to 47 h). Heat stress disturbed sugar‐based‐, amino acid‐ and purine‐derived metabolites, implementing anaerobic pathways and phosphagen breakdown, following initial thermal exposure, to support energy production. Time course recovery revealed varying metabolic adjustments in P. canaliculus , resulting in new metabolic setpoints in the heat‐stressed mussel group, which overlapped with the responses of the control group. Metabolic recovery in metabolites, such as pyruvate and malate, suggests the gradual return to aerobic energy generation, while amino acids, such citrulline, methionine and tyrosine, supported protein regulation and nitrogen homeostasis. In addition, purine‐derived metabolites (guanosine diphosphate, guanosine and guanine) linked to guanine‐based nucleotides support the use thereof towards energy production in heat‐stressed mussels, after which their levels stabilised, to control levels. Overall, the results show that P. canaliculus implements specific metabolic adjustments, as shifts in energy‐related and stress‐associated metabolites, to cope with short‐term high‐temperature exposure. After around two days of recovery at ambient temperatures, these metabolites do not simply return to baseline but instead stabilise at a new metabolic setpoint, suggesting a reprogramming of physiological homeostasis. These changes reflect an adaptive response in mussels that provides valuable insight for climate change adaptation and breeding resilient stocks.