Early reproductive success of the hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) from five sites in Long Island Sound

Early reproductive success of hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) in Long Island Sound was measured to determine whether pollution may have adverse effects on fragile recruitment to fisheries. Clams were collected at five sites in 1987 when ready to spawn naturally, along with water from within 39 cm of the bottom. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), copper, and cadmium were measured in the mature gonad and were found to be generally low. Clams were spawned and the gametes were collected and cultured both in their respective site waters and in reference laboratory seawater. In both site and reference seawater, embryos of clams from the most highly industrialized area (Bridgeport) with higher contaminant levels exhibited more irregularity in chromosome numbers and greater larval abnormality, possible indicators of long-term sublethal effects. Fertilization and early meiotic success at 1 to 1 1/2 h were significantly lower (p≤0.05) for clams from Norwalk (55%) than for those from Greenwich (75%). At 48 h, mortality was lowest for Greenwich larvae and highest for Norwalk larvae in their respective site waters, but the mortality for these two sites was significantly lower than for other sites in reference water. This suggests sporadically poor environmental quality. Milford larvae also had significant mortality. Population-level significance of pollution effects on clam reproduction will depend on how contaminated the environment is over the entire reproductive season of the clams in Long Island Sound, and over how large a portion of the spawning grounds.     

The distribution and production of the hard clam,Mercenaria mercenaria,in Wassaw Sound,Georgia

Estuaries and Coasts - Hard clams,Mercenaria mercenaria, occurred in four intertidal habitats in the outer, high salinity (18‰) region of Wassaw Sound, Georgia: small feeder creeks $$(\bar x...     

The distribution of heavy metals in the hard clam,Mercenaria mercenaria,in the lower Chesapeake Bay region

Populations of the hard clam,Mercenaria mercenaria, were sampled at thirty sites in the lower Chesapeake Bay region in 1972 and 1973. Subsamples were taken for analysis for the trace metals cadmium, copper and zinc. Emphasis was placed on samples from the York and James rivers, two very productive and commercially utilized clam grounds. The levels of metals determined were comparable to those reported from other regions except Southampton Water in the United Kingdom. Differences in levels between the York and James rivers were statistically significant (P<0.001) which indicates that the James River probably suffers from contamination by these metals. One metal, copper, varied significantly with the age of the organism whereas the other two, cadmium and zinc, varied with salinity. InMercenaria the salinity of the sampling site must be considered before cadmium and zinc data can be interpreted. A standard action-level to denote pollution from copper would be adequate in this species.     

Effects of size and temperature on mud crab,Panopeus herbstii,predation on hard clams,Mercenaria mercenaria

Predation byPanopeus herbstii onMercenaria mercenaria was significantly affected by temperature, and the size of predators and prey items. LargerP. herbstii opened more clams and preyed more successfully on larger clams than did smaller crabs. Increase in seed clam size and decrease in water temperature significantly reduced predation. Clam size appeared to be more important than crab satiation in reducing predation rate. Planting larger seed clams in cooler months should help to improve clam survival by reducing the impact ofP. herbstii in culture operations.     

Phylogeny and evolution of ontogeny of the family Oxytomidae Ichikawa, 1958 (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

We described ontogenies and reconstructed morphogeneses of hinges in some supraspecific taxa of the bivalve family Oxytomidae Ichikawa, 1958 from the Mesozoic of Russia. The phylogeny of the family is reconstructed using evolutionary and cladistic methods. The appearance of the endemic genus Arctotis Bodylevsky, 1960 in the epicontinental seas of Siberia can be explained in terms of gradual transformations of the ligament and byssal apparatus in the Northern Siberian members of Praemeleagrinella Lutikov et Shurygin, 2009 and Praearctotis Lutikov et Shurygin, 2009.     

Larval settlement of the Atlantic rangia,Rangia cuneata (Bivalvia: Mactridae)

Rangia cuneata larvae were given the opportunity to settle on substrate types that differed in grain size, organic content, and bacterial abundance. Larvae settled in very fine sand (63–125 μm) and fine and medium sand (125–500 μm) more than in silt and clay (<63 μm) or on a hard substratum (empty polystyrene petri dishes). Proportionally more larvae settled onto untreated sediment from the adult habitat than onto the same sediment autoclaved, or treated with either H₂O₂ to remove organic material, or treated with antibiotics to reduce bacterial abundance. However, it appears that competent larvae do not delay settlement, even in the absence of “attractive” substrates.     

Contrasting Growth Patterns of Suspension-Feeding Molluscs (Mercenaria mercenaria, Crassostrea virginica, Argopecten irradians, and Crepidula fornicata) Across a Eutrophication Gradient in the Peconic Estuary, NY, USA

While many coastal ecosystems previously supported dense meadows of seagrass and dense stocks of bivalves, the impacts of overfishing, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and habitat loss have contributed to the decline of these important resources. Anthropogenic nutrient loading and subsequent eutrophication has been identified by some researchers as a primary driver of these losses, but others have described potential positive effects of eutrophication on some estuarine resources. The Peconic Estuary, Long Island, NY, USA, offers a naturally occurring nutrient-loading gradient from eutrophic tidal creeks in its western reaches to mesotrophic bays in the eastern region. Over 2 years, we conducted an experiment across this gradient to examine the effects of eutrophication on the growth of estuarine species, including juvenile bivalves (northern quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria), eastern oysters, (Crassostrea virginica), and bay scallops (Argopecten irradians)) and slipper limpet (Crepidula fornicata). Water quality and phytoplankton community biomass and composition were concurrently monitored at each site, and the effects of these variables on the growth of estuarine species were analyzed with multiple regression model. Eutrophication seemed to impact shellfish through changes in the quality of food and not the quantity since the growth rates of shellfish were more often correlated with densities of specific cell types or quality of seston rather than bulk measures of phytoplankton and organic seston. Northern quahogs and eastern oysters grew maximally within eutrophic locales, and their growth was positively correlated with high densities of autotrophic nanoflagellates and centric diatoms in these regions (p?<?0.001). The growth rates of northern quahogs were also positively correlated with relative water motion, suggesting an important role for tidal currents in delivering seston to suspension feeders. Bay scallops and slipper limpets were negatively impacted by eutrophication, growing at the slowest rate at the most eutrophic sites. Furthermore, bay scallop growth was negatively correlated with densities of dinoflagellates, which were more abundant at the most eutrophic site (p?<?0.001). These results suggest that nutrient loading can have significant but complex effects on suspension-feeding molluscs with select species (e.g., oysters and clams) benefiting from eutrophication and other species performing poorly (e.g., scallops and slipper limpets). Future management approaches that seek to restore bivalve populations will need to account for the differential effects of nutrient loading as managers target species and regions to be restored.     

Paleoecology of Inoceramus amakusensis Nagao et Matsumoto, 1940 (Bivalvia) in a Late Cretaceous shallow clastic sea: The Himenoura Group,Kyushu, Japan

The taphonomic features and paleoecology of this species were investigated focused on vertically embedded individuals of articulated Inoceramus amakusensis Nagao et Matsumoto. In the Hinoshima Formation, Himenoura Group of Kyushu, Japan, this Santonian (Late Cretaceous) inoceramid bivalve characteristically occurs in incised-valley fill siliciclastic marine deposits. Modes of I. amakusensis occurrence and preservation, from in situ (= occurrence in life position) to allochthonous shell fragments, are strongly affected by its paleoecology and depositional environments. Several I. amakusensis (up to 25 cm in shell height) were recovered from bioturbated sandstones associated with storm-influenced deposits. Their commissural planes are almost perpendicular to the bedding plane, with the anterior face oriented downward and the posteroventral portion extending upward. Furthermore, I. amakusensis is morphologically comparable to endobyssate mytilid bivalves today. These results suggest that this Cretaceous species was an orthothetic sand sticker at least during mid-ontogeny that preferentially inhabited a well-oxygenated, nearshore seafloor. I. amakusensis was distributed in various depositional environments and has been regarded as a recliner in offshore muddy substrate. However, the present discovery suggests that it was also well adapted, with an upright life position, to high-energy shallow clastic environments characterized by high sediment supply.     

Asiatic clam (Corbicula manilensis) and other foods used by waterfowl in the James River,Virginia

Corbicula manilensis was found in the gizzards of 24 ducks of 5 species taken from the James River, Virginia, between 1973 and 1976. Percent average volume in these species ranged from trace to 6%. This is the first known occurrence of this exotic clam in the food of duck in Chesapeake Bay. A total of 135 other food items was identified from the 116 gizzards of 9 species that were examined. Food that predominated includedCyperus spp.,Leersia oryzoides, Polygonum spp., andZea mays. The great diversity of food consumed in this fresh tidal section of the James River indicates the high value of these wetlands to waterfowl. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY015 00008     

Paleoecology of Inoceramus amakusensis Nagao et Matsumoto, 1940 (Bivalvia) in a Late Cretaceous shallow clastic sea: The Himenoura Group, Kyushu, Japan

The taphonomic features and paleoecology of this species were investigated focused on vertically embedded individuals of articulated Inoceramus amakusensis Nagao et Matsumoto. In the Hinoshima Formation, Himenoura Group of Kyushu, Japan, this Santonian (Late Cretaceous) inoceramid bivalve characteristically occurs in incised-valley fill siliciclastic marine deposits. Modes of I. amakusensis occurrence and preservation, from in situ (= occurrence in life position) to allochthonous shell fragments, are strongly affected by its paleoecology and depositional environments. Several I. amakusensis (up to 25 cm in shell height) were recovered from bioturbated sandstones associated with storm-influenced deposits. Their commissural planes are almost perpendicular to the bedding plane, with the anterior face oriented downward and the posteroventral portion extending upward. Furthermore, I. amakusensis is morphologically comparable to endobyssate mytilid bivalves today. These results suggest that this Cretaceous species was an orthothetic sand sticker at least during mid-ontogeny that preferentially inhabited a well-oxygenated, nearshore seafloor. I. amakusensis was distributed in various depositional environments and has been regarded as a recliner in offshore muddy substrate. However, the present discovery suggests that it was also well adapted, with an upright life position, to high-energy shallow clastic environments characterized by high sediment supply.     

The role of phytoplankton in the diets of adult and larval shipworms,Lyrodus pedicellatus (Bivalvia: Teredinidae)

The shipwormLyrodus pedicellatus does not feed exclusively on the wood into which it burrows. This paper demonstrates the ability of adults to ingest and incorporate radioactivity from¹⁴C-labelled phytoplankton. The free-swimming larvae of this species, however, do not feed while in the plankton. This is related to their limited ability to delay metamorphosis in the absence of a suitable wood substrate.     

Age and growth rate determinations for the atlantic ribbed mussel,Geukensia demissa Dillwyn (Bivalvia: Mytilidae)

Field studies were conducted in Westport, Connecticut, to determine linear shell growth rates forGeukensia demissa. These rates were then compared with those reported for the same species from other locations. Most shell deposition occurred from March through November of each year. Winter interruptions in growth were clearly recognized in all size mussels and the rings were a reliable method for determining age in mussels from Westport. No significant sexual dimorphism in mean annual growth rates was detected. Age-size relationships based on internal shell lines appear to be less reliable, probably because of the interference by shell erosion at the umbo in this species. No well-defined latitudinal patterns in growth could be established forGeukensia demissa.     

Two new species of sand burrowing amphipod crustaceans from Long Island sound and the New York Bight (Amphipoda: Haustoriidae)

Acanthohaustorius bousfieldi n. sp. andA. similis n. sp. (Amphipoda: Haustoriidae) are described from the offshore bottom sands of the New York Bight and Long Island Sound regions.     

Reduction of Fe(III) colloids by Shewanella putrefaciens: A kinetic model

A kinetic model for the microbial reduction of Fe(III) oxyhydroxide colloids in the presence of excess electron donor is presented. The model assumes a two-step mechanism: (1) attachment of Fe(III) colloids to the cell surface and (2) reduction of Fe(III) centers at the surface of attached colloids. The validity of the model is tested using Shewanella putrefaciens and nanohematite as model dissimilatory iron reducing bacteria and Fe(III) colloidal particles, respectively. Attachment of nanohematite to the bacteria is formally described by a Langmuir isotherm. Initial iron reduction rates are shown to correlate linearly with the relative coverage of the cell surface by nanohematite particles, hence supporting a direct electron transfer from membrane-bound reductases to mineral particles attached to the cells. Using internally consistent parameter values for the maximum attachment capacity of Fe(III) colloids to the cells, M_max, the attachment constant, K_P, and the first-order Fe(III) reduction rate constant, k, the model reproduces the initial reduction rates of a variety of fine-grained Fe(III) oxyhydroxides by S. putrefaciens. The model explains the observed dependency of the apparent Fe(III) half-saturation constant, , on the solid to cell ratio, and it predicts that initial iron reduction rates exhibit saturation with respect to both the cell density and the abundance of the Fe(III) oxyhydroxide substrate.     

Growth rates of juvenine pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides): Effects of habitat and predation risk

Predation is often the largest source of mortality for juvenile fish and the risk of predation can influence growth rates by either forcing young fish into suboptimal foraging habitats or reducing the amount of time spent foraging. We used field experiments to test effects of predation risk by gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) on juvenile pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) growth rates by measuring changes in length and weight in three habitats (sand, low density, and high density shoalgrass,Halodule wrightii) in Perdido Key, Florida. Benthic cores, seagrass samples, and stomach contents were also analyzed to examine differences in pinfish prey densities, grass densities and epiphyte coverage, and diet, respectively, among habitat and predator treatments. Both length and weight growth rates were determined and showed similar results. We found that pinfish inhabiting seagrass habitats, particularly low densityHalodule displayed the fastest growth rates in the beginning of the growing season (June) and those in sand had the fastest growth rates later in the season (October). These differences in growth rates did not appear to be influenced by densities of pinfish prey items since the treatment having the highest density of prey was not that in which growth rates were the greatest. This seasonal shift may be attributed to increasing pinfish size. Larger pinfish in October may have been inhibited by high density grass, reducing foraging efficiency. These results demonstrate how occupying a suboptimal foraging habitat can affect juvenile pinfish growth rates. Predation risk significantly reduced length and weight growth rates of pinfish in June, but not October. This suggests that smaller pinfish early in the season traded time spent foraging for predator avoidance, while larger pinfish were likely to have reached a size refuge from predation. This study demonstrates that nonlethal effects from predation are also important influences on juvenile pinfish.     

Paleogeographical Distribution and Stratigraphical Range of the Lower Triassic Claraia,Pseudoclaraia and Eumorphotis(Bivalvia)

On the basis of a worldwide review of Claraia,Pseudoclaraia andEumorphotis,especially their important species,two range zones are recog-nized:the Pseudoclaraia wangi range zone——Upper Griesbachia——and the Claraia stachei-C.aurita-Eumorphotis multiformis acme zone——Upper Griesbachian to Lower Smithian .This result revises both the traditional Chinese concept regarding these fossils as limited in Lower Scythian andthe viewpoint of some Eurasian researchers who hold Eumorphotis multifor-mis to be Upper Scythian.The paleogeographical distribution of the three genera is controlledprimarily by temperature(latitude)and secondarily by physiographic separa-tions.Distribution of these fossils is subdivided into four realms and five prov-inces.The Eastern Asia province of the Tethys realm is suggested as thesource area of these fossils.The striking contrast between the composition ofthe species along the southern and northern margins of the Tethys,togetherwith other distributional characters,supports the pla     

Caprinula and Sauvagesia rudist faunas (Bivalvia) from the Cenomanian of NW Jordan. Stratigraphy and taxonomy

Three species of a canaliculated rudist Caprinula d'Orbigny, 1847, C. sharpei (Choffat, 1885), C. cedrorum (Blanckenhorn, 1890) and C. cf. boissyi d'Orbigny, 1840 and a radiolitid Sauvagesia sharpei (Bayle, 1857) are described from the Hummar Formation (upper Cenomanian) in NW Jordan, in the vicinity of Ajlun. Caprinula sharpei, C. cedrorum and S. sharpei are described for the first time from Jordan. Many specimens of S. sharpei are characterized by the presence of cavities flanking the lamellar myophores in the left valve and the apparence of the dorsal cavity and teeth/socket system moulds in the inner part of the outer shell layer of the right valve. A hiatus (or erosional unconformity) between Hummar Formation and upper Turonian Wadi As Sir Limestone Formation is suggested by the presence of karstic structures, reworked limestone clasts, and rudist fragments and a sharp boundary. Early diagenetic processes such as dissolution and silicification present in the loose rudist material is described.     

Reduction of iron(III) minerals by natural organic matter in groundwater

Construction of the entrance tunnel to the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, a prototype repository in Sweden for research into the geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel, has resulted in increased transport of organic carbon from the surface into the groundwater. This increased input of organic matter has induced accelerated oxidation of organic carbon associated with reduction of iron(III) minerals as the terminal electron acceptor in microbial respiration. Hydrochemical modeling of major solute ions at the site indicates an apparent first-order decay constant for organic carbon of 3.7 ± 2.6/yr. This rapid turnover is not accompanied by an equivalent mobilization of ferrous iron. Thermodynamic calculation of iron mineral solubility suggests that ferrous clay minerals may form in hydraulically transmissive fractures. The conditional potentials for the oxidation–reduction of such phases coincide with measured redox potentials at the site. The calculated potential is sufficiently low so that such phases would provide reducing capacity against future intrusion of O₂ into the groundwater, thus buffering a repository against oxic corrosion of the engineered barriers.