Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of fluctuating salinity on the behaviour of the West African blood clam Anadara senilis and on the osmotic pressure and lonic concentrations of the haemolymph

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Specimens of the West African blood clam Anadara senilis were exposed to both sinusoidal and abrupt salinity regimes. Measurements showed that haemolymph osmolality and concentrations of Na, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ followed the concentrations of the external medium up to the time of shell valve closure. Shell valves closed when the seawater concentration had fallen to about 15.4% S and reopened at a similar salinity. The closure mechanism was effective in preventing excessive haemolymph dilution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Davenport, J., Ll. D. Gruffydd and A.R. Beaumont: An apparatus to supply water of fluctuating salinity and its use in a study of the salinity tolerance of larvae of the scallop Pecten maximus L. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 55, 391–409 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holyeaux, J., R. Gilles and C. Jeuniaux: Osmotic regulation in molluscs of the intertidal zone. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 53A, 361–365 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkin-Elmer: Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry, p. EN-1. Norwich, Connecticut, USA: Perkin Elmer 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, S.K.: The water balance of Modiolus (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae): osmotic concentrations in changing salinities. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 36, 521–533 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shumway, S.E.: Effect of salinity fluctuation on the osmotic pressure and Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ ion concentrations in the haemolymph of bivalve molluscs. Mar. Biol. 41, 153–177 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spaargaren, D.H.: A study on the adaptation of marine organisms to changing salinities with special reference to the shore crab Carcinus maenas L. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 47A, 499–512 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. J. S. Djangmah

    Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa

Authors and Affiliations

  1. N.E.R.C. Unit of Marine Invertebrate Biology, Marine Science Laboratories, Menai Bridge, Gwynedd, N. Wales, UK

    J. S. Djangmah, S. E. Shumway & J. Davenport

Authors
  1. J. S. Djangmah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. E. Shumway
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Davenport
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Djangmah, J.S., Shumway, S.E. & Davenport, J. Effects of fluctuating salinity on the behaviour of the West African blood clam Anadara senilis and on the osmotic pressure and lonic concentrations of the haemolymph. Mar. Biol. 50, 209–213 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394202

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394202

Keywords

Search

Navigation