The rate and strength of byssal reattachment by blue mussels (<i>Mytilus edulis</i> L.)

Lee, Carey Y.; Lim, Shirley S. L.; Owen, Michael D.

doi:10.1139/z90-282

Cited by 45 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The byssal attachment strength measured after re-attachment under laboratory conditions (Lee et al 1990;Dolmer and Svane 1994;Babarro and Reiriz 2010) was much lower than that which was reported in the findings by Leonard et al (1999), and was lower than values measured in the present study. The experimental site at which the present experiment was carried out was a sheltered area of the Oosterschelde.…”

Section: Development Of Attachment Strengthcontrasting

confidence: 90%

The role of shore crabs and mussel density in mussel losses at a commercial intertidal mussel plot after seeding

Scheiberlich¹,

Wijsman²,

Smaal

2016

Aquacult Int

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Mussel losses peak after relaying seed on culture plots. The present paper is an attempt to examine the role of shore crab predation and initial mussel density on mussel losses in mussel bottom culture using an intertidal culture plot as a case study. Because of their small size and loose attachment, mussels are particularly vulnerable to predation at this stage, as well as to handling stress and intraspecific competition. In the experimental field plots (1 9 1 m) in the intertidal Oosterschelde, three different densities (1, 5 and 10 kg m -2 ) of mussel seed are laid, with half of the experimental plots protected from predation by means of exclosures. Duration of the experiment was 5 weeks (AugustSeptember 2012) post-seeding. Protection was the major factor accounting for biomass production, followed by mussel density. Loss rates increased with mussel density, both in the exclosures and in the exposed plots. Losses in the exclosures with the lowest density were still 45 %. There are indications that handling stress prior to the start of the experiment played a major role in these losses. At the higher densities in the exclosures, losses increased to 72.1 % and were not significantly different between 5 and 10 kg m -2 . About one-third of the total loss (32.6 %) was attributed to shore crab predation. development during the experimental period was followed and was found to be a slow process that was insufficient to protect mussels from crab predation at the sheltered experimental location.

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Section: Development Of Attachment Strengthcontrasting

confidence: 90%

The role of shore crabs and mussel density in mussel losses at a commercial intertidal mussel plot after seeding

Scheiberlich¹,

Wijsman²,

Smaal

2016

Aquacult Int

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“…Byssal threads have a limited lifetime (probably 4 to 6 wk for Mytilus edulis ;Carrington 2002a, and mussels secrete new threads regularly. In most of the studies on attachment strength of mussel byssus, the number of threads is used to characterize attachment strength (more threads = stronger attachment), and single explanatory factors are usually studied by controlled laboratory experiments (Young 1985, Lee et al 1990, Dolmer & Svane 1994, Clarke 1999, Selin & Vekhova 2004, Alfaro 2005. In other studies, the byssal thread counts have been complemented by a measure of the actual force required to pull the mussel off of its attachment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, byssal thread production increases with water temperatures ranging from 0 to 25°C, but is inhibited above 26°C (Young 1985, Lee et al 1990, Selin & Vekhova 2004. Food availability can also influence attachment strength by decreasing thread production when food is limited (Price 1980, Young 1985, Clarke 1999, Carrington 2002a.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biotic and abiotic factors influencing attachment strength of blue mussels Mytilus edulis in suspended culture

Lachance¹,

Myrand²,

Tremblay³

et al. 2008

Aquat. Biol.

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Mussels secrete byssal threads regularly to the substratum, and the strength of these threads can fluctuate with time. The present study examined weekly variations in the attachment strength of 2 yr old cultured mussels Mytilus edulis on submerged longlines in a semi-enclosed lagoon from late May to mid-October. Some possible factors influencing attachment strength were investigated: environmental factors (temperature, food availability, wind velocity and hydrodynamic conditions such as current velocity, turbulence and wave height) and reproductive condition were measured concurrently. Attachment strength was measured directly on cultured mussels using a dynamometer. Attachment strength varied 2-fold from summer to fall, a difference related not only to the number of byssal threads but also to their individual strengths. The hierarchical influence of each factor on attachment strength is discussed. Our results suggest that spawning seemed to be correlated with an important decrease (-32%) in attachment strength, and that water temperature (negative relationship) and turbulence (positive relationship) were the most important factors explaining the variation in mussel attachment strength. In contrast to previous studies carried out in intertidal zones, no trade-offs were observed between reproduction and attachment strength.

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“…Wave action exposes mussels to three potential stimuli for increased thread production: (1) mean flow, (2) acceleration (vertical displacement of the mussel body) and (3) hydrodynamic loading of the byssal retractor muscle by transferring tension from the byssal complex. Of these potential stimuli, flow is presently thought to be the primary cue for increased thread production in M. edulis (Dolmer and Svane, 1994;Lee et al, 1990;Van Winkle, 1970;Witman and Suchanek, 1984;Young, 1985). Previous research has suggested a positive linear relationship between water flow and mussel attachment (Dolmer and Svane, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal influence of wave action on thread production in Mytilus edulis

Moeser

Leba

Carrington

2006

Journal of Experimental Biology

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range of flows, with reduced thread production above 15·cm·s -1 . The influence of both acceleration and byssal loading was sporadic and inconsistent across seasons. Surprisingly, overall thread production in the laboratory was lowest in winter, a time when mussels typically peak in attachment. A similar seasonal pattern was observed in field assays, with high thread production during periods of elevated temperature, reduced wave action, and high reproductive condition. These results suggest that seasonal variation in attachment strength does not reflect increased thread production in response to wave action, and that other possible factors, such as seasonal variability in both the material properties of byssal threads and thread decay rates, warrant further investigation.

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The rate and strength of byssal reattachment by blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.)

Cited by 45 publications

References 10 publications

The role of shore crabs and mussel density in mussel losses at a commercial intertidal mussel plot after seeding

The role of shore crabs and mussel density in mussel losses at a commercial intertidal mussel plot after seeding

Biotic and abiotic factors influencing attachment strength of blue mussels Mytilus edulis in suspended culture

Seasonal influence of wave action on thread production in Mytilus edulis

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