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An Analysis of Factors Determining Seasonal Variation in the Byssal Attachment Strength of Mytilus Edulis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

H. A. Price
H. A. Price
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University College, Cardiff, CF1 1XL
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Extract

INTRODUCTION

The common mussel Mytilus edulis L. is one of the most successful shore molluscs. It is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere and is abundant not only in the most sheltered bays and loughs but also in conditions of extreme exposure (Lewis, 1964; Seed, 1976). Attachment to the substratum is by means of the proteinaceous byssus complex, the strength of which has been shown to vary seasonally (Price, 1980b). This variation could be a response to seasonal fluctuations in wave action, as suggested by Pieters et al. (1978), or may result from the seasonality of other environmental variables. Some of these, e.g. salinity and sea temperature, have been shown to influence byssus production (Glaus, 1968; Van Winkle, 1970; Allen et al. 1976), Phytoplankton density, spawning and the reduced ‘scope for growth’ during winter months (Bayne & Widdows, 1978) may also play a role in determining byssus strength.

In the present study, the relationships between byssal attachment strength and environmental and other variables are examined in a population of mussels on the South Wales coast.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 62 , Issue 1 , February 1982 , pp. 147 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1982

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References

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