Work

Field and laboratory measurements of bivalve filtration of natural marine bacterioplankton1

Year: 1982

Type: article

Abstract: Clearance of natural bacterioplankton and phytoplankton by Mytilus edulis, Geukensia demissa, and Mya arenaria was measured in the laboratory. Of the three, only Geukensia proved capable of efficient clearance of bacteria. Field measurements of clearance across a 46‐m‐wide Mytilus bed showed substantial removal of phytoplankton but no effect on bacterial concentrations. Measurements of the living gill tissue of the two mussel species revealed closer spacing and more lateral overlapping of filtering cilia in G. demissa. The ability of Geukensia to filter bacteria appears to be a key adaptation to a food resource deriving largely from salt marsh primary production.

Source: Limnology and Oceanography

DOI: 10.4319/lo.1982.27.1.0091

Authors: Richard T. Wright, Richard B. Coffin, Curtis P. Ersing, Daniel Pearson

Institution: Gordon College

Language: English

Topic: Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies

Subfield: Aquatic Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Science Foundation