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Cleansing Mechanisms and the Function of the Fourth Pallial Aperture in Spisula Subtruncata (Da Costa) and Lutraria Lutraria (L.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

C. M. Yonge
Affiliation:
From the Marine Biological Station, Millport, and the Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow

Extract

Spisula subtruncata is a shallow-burrowing member of the Mactridae which inhabits silty sand. Adaptations to such conditions include long frontal cilia on the gills (Atkins), and the presence of a siphonal membrane with associated mantle folds over-arching a waste canal, as postulated by Kellogg for allied species.

The mantle edges are free ventrally, but are normally closely applied except for a short distance at the base of the inhalant siphon, an effective fourth pallial aperture being so formed. Through this opening material from the waste canal is ejected.

Lutraria lutraria is a deep-burrowing species belonging to the same family. The general resemblance to Mya arenaria is due to convergence. Cleansing currents resemble those of Spisula subtruncata and there is a similar waste canal, but the siphonal membrane and the long frontal cilia associated with a silty environment are absent.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1948

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References

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