Abstract
The use during settlement of secretions of the 9 different types of gland in the foot of the pediveliger of Ostrea edulis L. was examined experimentally. During settlement, there is a progressive decrease in the crawling speed of the larva and a strengthening of its bond with the substratum. Both changes are related to (a) a change from ciliary to muscular pedal locomotion; (b) the increasing acidity and viscosity of the mucoid secretions used; (c) the secretion of a byssus thread by the glands of the byssus duet; (d) changes in the form and composition of this byssus. At the termination of settlement, the entire contents of 2 types of gland are discharged. Their secretions give rise to the cement which permanently fixes the larva to the substratum. The 9 types of gland are utilised sequentially in a manner closely related to the 6 phases recognised in settlement behaviour.
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Communicated by G. F. Humphrey, Sydney
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Cranfield, H.J. Observations on the function of the glands of the foot of the pediveliger of Ostrea edulis during settlement. Mar. Biol. 22, 211–223 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389175