Abstract
The upper temperature tolerances of three European species of Cardium [C. (Cerastoderma) glaucum Bruguière, C. tuberculatum L., C. (Cerastoderma) edule L.] are compared by means of median lethal temperature (LT50) and median burial temperature (BT50) determinations for periods of exposure up to 96 h. The influence of previous acclimation temperatures on these determinations is also considered. C. glaucum from shallow water (0.5 to 1 m), lagoonal, habitats in the Mediterranean Sea shows a greater thermal tolerance than C. tuberculatum from deeper water (4 to 5 m) in the Mediterranean. The thermal tolerance of C. edule from the intertidal zone, but at higher latitudes, is intermediate. Young C. glaucum show a greater resistance to short exposures to high temperatures than adults, but for longer exposures their tolerance is the same. All 3 species exhibit a significant effect of previous acclimation temperature on the burrowing response, and C. glaucum and C. tuberculatum a significant but lesser effect on LT50. LT50 determinations with C. edule showed secondary mortality effects which may have obscured any effect of acclimation temperature.
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Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban
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Ansell, A.D., Barnett, P.R.O., Bodoy, A. et al. Upper temperature tolerances of some European molluscs. Mar. Biol. 65, 177–183 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397083
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397083