Does cannibalism of larvae by adults affect settlement and connectivity of mussel populations?

Intertidal population dynamics are driven by a complex series of processes, including larval supply and the possibility of larval predation by benthic animals such as filter-feeders. We hypothesised that cannibalism by adults could play a major role in the population connectivity of mussel populations by removing larvae as they attempt to settle in the adult habitat. Specifically, we tested hypotheses that consumption of mussel larvae by adults removes a significant proportion of potential settlers and is influenced by both settlement intensity and tidal state (flooding or ebbing). Predation of mussel larvae by adult mussels was investigated on incoming and ebbing tides during four spring tides by analysing the gut contents of adult Perna perna and Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from the low intertidal mussel zone between October 2005 and January 2006. Consumption rates were then compared with estimates of successful settler densities on natural beds. The results showed that mortality of competent mussel larvae through adult ingestion removes up to 77% a of potential settlers. Rates of larval consumption were highest during months of intense settlement, suggesting that mussels feed opportunistically, filtering a relatively fixed volume of water and removing particles, including larvae, in proportion to their densities in the water. Rates of larviphagy were also higher during receding than incoming tides. We suggest that this is due to changes in larval density or, more probably, in adult filtration efficiency that are related to the state of the tide. Despite significant effects of both tidal state and settlement intensity on rates of larval ingestion, neither had a significant effect on the proportion of potential settlers removed. During settlement more than half of all potential settlers are lost through cannibalism, with potentially serious consequences for population maintenance. The results highlight the paradoxical nature of the evolution of settlement mechanisms in mussels, which must balance the advantages of settlement in habitats favourable to adults against the consumption of larvae by adults.     

Negative effects of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Flensborg fjord,Denmark

The effect of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds was studied from June 2004 to July 2005 in Flensborg fjord, Denmark. The field experiments were conducted at two stations, one with only Z. marina (Eelgrass station) present and one where M. edulis were present in the Z. marina beds (Mixed station). Zostera marina parameters were measured (growth of leaves, shoot density, leaf length, and nutrient content) in combination with epiphyte cover and sediment parameters (sulphate reduction rates, sediment nutrient fluxes, organic content, C, N and P content) to examine possible positive and negative effects of the mussels on eelgrass performance. The fluxes of ammonium from the sediments were stimulated at all sampling dates at the Mixed station, and possibly stimulated epiphyte growth at this station. Further ¹⁵N signals in epiphytes from the Mixed station suggested that excretion products from the mussels were important nitrogen sources at this station. Sulphate reduction rates were enhanced at the Mixed station and also sediment sulphide concentrations increased under mussel influence, which may have resulted in sulphide toxicity and decreased growth of Z. marina at this station. The study indicates that for Z. marina beds in Flensborg Fjord the effects of M. edulis in seagrass beds are primarily negative, and raises the question whether this leads to negative effects on the stability and expansion of Z. marina beds.     

热带珊瑚礁区红腹海参及绿刺参食物来源分析——脂肪酸标志法

沉积食性海参通过大量摄取沉积物在热带珊瑚礁生态系统中发挥重要的生态功能,但其食物来源组成尚不清楚.本文研究了海南三亚近岸典型珊瑚礁海域红腹海参(Holothuria edulis)及绿刺参(Stichopus chloronotus)脂肪酸组成,利用脂肪酸标志法探讨了夏季和冬季两种海参的食物来源异同.结果表明,红腹海参...     

Colonization and Disappearance ofMytilus galloprovincialisLam. on an Artificial Habitat in the Mediterranean Sea

AMytilus galloprovincialispopulation, settled on a new artificial habitat at 12 m depth in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea, was investigated for 10 years. The new substratum, located at a depth lower than the preferential range of the species, was colonized temporarily by mussels which reached very high densities and dominated the benthic community from their colonization until the third year. The length-frequency distribution analysis showed a progressively complex population structure with up to three cohorts. The yearly recruitments were observed once a year in spring. The growth curve provided a maximum length higher than that reported for shallow waters. Nevertheless, the gregarious habits of mussels and the reduced water movement caused edaphic modifications of the substratum, which was covered progressively by sediments and biodeposits (pseudofaeces). Consequently, the population structure was affected by a reduction of the newly recruited cohorts, and mussels disappeared after 5 years of colonization. This may be explained by the reduction in the substratum available for the first settlement (hydroid covering), as well as by the modification of the surface required for final settlement.     

辽宁沿岸海域重金属和石油污染的生物指示种初步研究

本文根据经济贝类污染物残留量调查结果，对辽宁沿岸海域贻贝、菲律宾蛤仔作为重金属、石油污染的生物指示种的可能性进行了初步研究和评价。应用ＰＯＬＹＤＩＶ统计技术对采自辽宁沿岸海域１４个站点样品中的重金属、石油含量进行了统计分析，结果表明辽宁沿岸海域各站点的贻贝、菲律宾蛤仔受Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ，Ｃｄ，Ｈｇ和石油污染与石油污染程度的分布和沿岸排放工业废水的分布及表层沉积物中的含量相一致。据此，贻贝和菲律宾蛤仔可作为监测Ｃｕ，ｍ，Ｃｄ，Ｈｇ和石油污染的生物指示种；可否作为Ｐｂ的生物指示种尚需进一步研究。     

紫贻贝(Mytilus edulis)对4种重金属的生物富集动力学特性研究

应用半静态双箱模型室内模拟了紫贻贝对 4种重金属 (As、Hg、Cd、Pb)的生物富集实验 ,通过非线性拟合得到了紫贻贝富集重金属的吸收速率常数k1 、排出速率常数k2 、生物富集因子BCF、生物学半衰期B1 / 2 等动力学参数。实验海水盐度为 32、温度分别为( 1 2 .34± 2 .2 8)℃和 ( 6.63± 3.1 2 )℃、溶氧量 >6.5mg/L。得到的Hg、Cd、Pb的动力学参数k1为 8.71 2— 30 1 .5 ;k2 为 0 .0 0 942 5— 0 .0 30 64;BCF为 783.4— 1 1 75 4 ;B1 / 2 为 2 2 .62— 73.5 4。比较结果得出 :吸收速率常数k1 及生物富集因子BCF均随着外部水体浓度的增加而减小 ,在平衡状态下生物体内金属含量CAmax随着外部水体浓度的增加而增加 ,且基本呈正相关 ,说明紫贻贝是比较理想的重金属Hg、Cd、Pb污染的指示生物。紫贻贝排出Cd的生物学半衰期要长于金属Hg、Pb、As。     

Birds, seals and the suspension culture of mussels in Bantry Bay, a non-seaduck area in Southwest Ireland

Concerns about the environmental impacts of mariculture have grown in recent years in response to the rapid expansion of the industry. The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) is the main product of shellfish mariculture in the Northeast Atlantic and Baltic Sea, with approximately one third of the harvest cultured using suspended longlines within sheltered marine areas. The main aim of this study was to examine the interactions, and assess the impacts (if any) of mussel suspension culture on the seabird and seal community, employing a simultaneous study of culture and control sites. The study spanned a 20-month period (from November 2001 to August 2003) and encompassed six sites in Bantry Bay (Southwest Ireland).There was no significant difference in species richness between mussel and control sites. Similarly, species diversity did not significantly differ between the mussel and control sites although control sites were generally more diverse than mussel sites, the latter particularly dominated by large numbers of Laridae.Significantly higher numbers of Phalacrocoracidae, Laridae and Alcidae were recorded in mussel sites than in control sites. However, no significant difference was found between Gaviidae or common seal (Phoca vitulina) numbers in mussel and control sites. Seasonal patterns of abundance were similar in mussel and control sites, with peak numbers of most species groups occurring in spring.Mussel suspension culture does not appear to have an adverse effect on the abundance of seabirds or common seals in this area. The safe perching platforms provided by suspension culture floats, combined with a number of other factors, contribute to an increased abundance of a number of seabird species, particularly Laridae. The possible interactions between vertebrate predators and mussel suspension aquaculture are discussed and possible explanations for the increased seabird abundance observed in these areas are offered.