Abstract
An automatic recording apparatus for measuring the filtration rate in suspension-feeding bivalves is described. The concentration of algae in the experimental medium is kept constant throughout each experiment by addition of Phaeodactylum tricornutum from a chemostat. Within the range of body size 5.7 to 283 mg (W=dry weight of tissues), the filtration rate (F=ml min-1) at 15°C in Mytilus edulis L. follows the allometric equation F=0.85 W 0.72. Within the concentrations 0.18 to 0.70 mg algal dry weight l-1, the filtration rate in mussels of 132 mg dry flesh weight ranges from 33.1 to 41.0 ml min-1. At 0.18 mg algal dry weight l-1 the mussels filter continuously for 20 h, with a high constant rate that presumably represents the water transport capacity under optimal laboratory conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Coughlan, J.: The estimation of filtering rate from the clearance of suspensions. Mar. Biol. 2, 356–358 (1969)
Jørgensen, C.B.: Efficiency of particle retention and rate of water transport in undisturbed lamellibranchs. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 26, 94–116 (1960)
—: On gill function in the mussel Mytilus edulis L. Ophelia 13, 187–232 (1975)
Møhlenberg, F. and H.U. Riisgård: Efficiency of particle retention in 13 species of suspension feeding bivalves. Ophelia 17, 239–246 (1978)
Møhlenberg, F. and H.U. Riisgård: Filtration rate in 13 species of suspension feeding bivalves of different size measured by a new simple technique. (In preparation)
Parsons, T.R., K. Stephens and J.D.H. Strickland: On the chemical composition of eleven species of marine phytoplankters. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 18, 1001–1016 (1961)
Riisgård, H.U.: On measurements of the filtration rates of suspension feeding bivalves in a flow system. Ophelia 16, 167–173 (1977)
Thompson, R.J. and B.L. Bayne: Active metabolism associated with feeding in the mussel Mytilus edulis. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 9, 111–124 (1972)
Vahl, O.: Pumping and oxygen consumption rates of Mytilus edulis L. of different sizes. Ophelia 12, 45–52 (1973)
Weel, P.B. van: The comparative physiology of digestion in molluscs. Am. Zool. 1, 245–252 (1961)
Winter, J.E.: The filtration rate of Mytilus edulis and its dependence on algal concentration, measured by a continuous automatic apparatus. Mar. Biol. 22, 317–328 (1973)
—: A review on the knowledge of suspension-feeding in lamellibranchiate bivalves, with special reference to artificial aquaculture systems. Aquaculture 13, 1–33 (1978)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by T.M. Fenchel, Aarhus
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Riisgård, H.U., Møhlenberg, F. An improved automatic recording apparatus for determining the filtration rate of Mytilus edulis as a function of size and algal concentration. Mar. Biol. 52, 61–67 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386858
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386858