Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal changes in biochemical composition of the bivalve Abra alba from the Clyde Sea Area

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seasonal changes in the body weight and composition of Abra alba (W. Wood) from south of the Little Cumbrae in the Clyde Sea Area (UK) were studied during 1969–1971. The composition of a specimen of standard size was calculated for each sampling data to provide information on seasonal changes independent of shell growth. Increase in body weight took place rapidly in early summer as the gonad developed and reserves were built up. Spawning in July resulted in a fall in body weight, and this was followed by a slower fall during the autumn and winter as reserves were utilized. The changes are related to seasonal fluctuations in food availability and temperature, which are reflected in the amount of pigment (phaeophytin) retained in the tissues.

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

  • Allen, J. A.: The fauna of the Clyde Sea Area: Mollusca, 88 pp. Millport: Scottish Marine Biological Association 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansell, A. D.: Distribution, growth and seasonal changes in biochemical composition for the bivalve Donax vittatus (da Costa) from Kames Bay, Millport. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 10, 137–150 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and A. Trevallion: Studies on Tellina tenius da Costa. I. Seasonal growth and biochemical cycle. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 1, 220–235 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayne, B. L. and R. J. Thompson: Some physiological consequences of keeping Mytilus edulis in the laboratory. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 20, 526–552 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Blegvad, H.: Continued studies on the quantity of fish food in the sea bottom. Rep. Dan. biol. Stn 31, 27–56 (1925).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bligh, E. G. and W. J. Dyer: A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification. Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 37, 911–917 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubois, M., K. A. Gillies, J. K. Hamilton, P. A. Reebers and F. Smith: Colorimetric method for the determination of sugars and related substances. Analyt. Chem. 28, 350–356 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, E.: On the growth of some lamellibranchs in relation to the food supply of fishes. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 13, 531–559 (1925).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R. N.: A study of feeding in Scrobicularia plana. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 49, 805–824 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Population dynamics of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana (da Costa) on an intertidal mud flat in North Wales. J. Anim. Ecol. 39, 333–356 (1970a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: An energy budget for a tidal flat population of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana (da Costa). J. Anim. Ecol. 39, 357–381 (1970b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, B.: Muds of the Clyde Sea Area. II. Bacterial content. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 17, 751–766 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, S. M. and A. P. Orr: The relation of the plankton to some chemical and physical factors in the Clyde Sea Area. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 14, 837–868 (1927).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, H. B.: The muds of the Clyde Sea Area. III. Chemical and physical conditions; rate and nature of sedimentation and fauna. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 17, 325–358 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephen, A. C.: Notes on the biology of some lamellibranchs in the Clyde Sea Area. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 18, 51–68 (1932).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Studies on the Soottish marine fauna: the natural faunistic divisions of the North Sea as shown by the quantitative distribution of the molluses. Trans. R. Soc. Edinb. 57, 601–616 (1933).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tebble, N.: British bivalve seashells, 212 pp. London: British Museum (Natural History) 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trevallion, A.: Studies on Tellina tenuis da Costa. III. Aspects of general biology and energy flow. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 7, 95–122 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yentsch, C. S. and D. W. Menzel: A method for the determination of phytoplankton chlorophyll and phaeophytin by fluorescence. Deep Sea Res. 10, 221–231 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yonge, C. M.: On the structure and adaptations of the Tellinacea, deposit-feeding Eulamellibranchia. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. (Ser. B) 234, 29–76 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. A. D. Ansell

    Present address: Dunstaffnage Marine Research Laboratory, Scottish Marine Biological Association, Oban, Argyll, Scotland (UK)

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. A. D. Ansell
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Additional information

    Communicated by J. H. S. Blaxter, Oban

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Ansell, A.D. Seasonal changes in biochemical composition of the bivalve Abra alba from the Clyde Sea Area. Mar. Biol. 25, 13–20 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395103

    Download citation

    • Accepted:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395103

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation