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Physical factors affecting the fate of pedal mucus produced by the common limpet Patella vulgata

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

Mark S. Davies ,
Hugh D. Jones  and
S. J. Hawkins
Mark S. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Biology, University of Manchester, Manchester, Ml 3 9PL
Hugh D. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Biology, University of Manchester, Manchester, Ml 3 9PL
S. J. Hawkins
Affiliation:
Port Erin Marine Laboratory, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man
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Extract

Physical factors affecting the fate and functional capabilities of the pedal mucus of Patella vulgata L. deposited in the intertidal have been examined. Mucus dehydration, rehydration and degradation were assessed. Mucus dehydration is dependent on ambient wind speed, temperature and relative humidity. Of these, over naturally encountered ranges, wind speed produces the greatest water loss over a 6-h period and it is surmised that mucus deposited at mid-shore will lose >60% of its water when exposed by the tide on days when the air is not still. The more dehydrated pedal mucus is, the longer it subsequently takes when immersed to reach a fully hydrated state.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 72 , Issue 3 , August 1992 , pp. 633 - 643
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1992

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