Balancing anti-predation and energetic needs: color polymorphism in the giant clam, Tridacna maxima
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: BALANCING ANTI-PREDATION AND ENERGETIC NEEDS: COLOR POLYMORPHISM IN THE GIANT CLAM TRIDACNA MAXIMA. Color polymorphism has been implicated as an important component of cryptic coloration in organisms inhabiting complex environments. Recent studies have suggested that mantle color variation in Tridacnid clams may serve various functions, including as a mechanism to achieve background matching. The mantle color variation of Tridacna maxima was examined in a series of experiments, including a background matching photo survey, a predation experiment, and a zooxanthellae count. The results of the photo survey showed a significant correlation between T. maxima mantle and background color. T. maxima which did not match their background experienced a significantly greater rate of predation. Finally, the population of zooxanthellae was seen to increase for the same size of mantle area with age. These results suggest that balancing photosynthetic efficiency and anti-predation needs can be addressed by mantle color variation throughout the lifetime of T. maxima.
Author: Stosh Ozog
Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
Funder: National University of Singapore
OpenAlex ID: W1545596764