In situ mussel feeding behavior in relation to multiple environmental factors: Regulation through food concentration and tidal conditions

Camille Saurel, Joanna C. Gascoigne, M. R. Palmer, M. J. Kaiser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Feeding behavior of mussels (Mytilus edulis) was measured in situ using a video camera and expressed as the mean percentage of valve gape aperture (VA), concomitant with environmental and biological parameters over two tidal cycles. Mussel feeding behavior and the physical parameters responded to three primary tidal components, of which semidiurnal was dominant (12.42 h). VA was synchronized with chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration (proxy for food) with a strong positive correlation (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Chl a and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were dependent on tidal advection. The combination of the reconstructed tidal constituents derived from harmonic analysis were used to successfully model mussel feeding behavior (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). In this concentration range (0.6 to 2.5 μg L-1), Chl a, measured at 1 m above the mussel bed, regulates mussel feeding behavior irrespective of the presence of predators, changes in SPM, or flow velocity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1919-1929
Number of pages11
JournalLimnology and Oceanography
Volume52
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oceanography
  • Aquatic Science

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