Mytilus

About: Mytilus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4470 publications have been published within this topic receiving 152479 citations.

Intertidal community structure : Experimental studies on the relationship between a dominant competitor and its principal predator.

Abstract: Along exposed rocky intertidal shorelines of western North America the mussel Mytilus californianus exists as a characteristic, well-defined band. Measurements at Mukkaw Bay and Tatoosh Island, Washington State, suggest that the upper limit to distribution is constant. The lower limit is also predictably constant, as judged by photographs of the same areas taken up to 9 years apart. The band of mussels is formed by larval recruitment to a variety of substrates, especially the filamentous red alga Endocladia muricata. From the settlement site, if the mussels survive a series of predators including the starfish Pisaster ochraceus and a variety of carnivorous gastropods (Thais spp.), the mussles may be washed inward or migrate (be pushed) downward.When Pisaster was removed manually, the zonation pattern changed rapidly. Mussels advanced downward at Mukkaw Bay a vertical distance of 0.85 m in 5 years. No movement was observed on 2 adjacent control sites. At Tatoosh Island a maximum displacement of 1.93 m has been observed in 3 years; the slope there is 40°. Again, there was no change at control sites with Pisaster. At Mukkaw Bay over 25 species of invertebrates and benthic algae are excluded from occupancy of the primary substratum by mussels. The ecological dominance of mussels is discussed; predation is shown to enhance coexistence among potential competitors. A survival curve for Pollicipes polymerus indicates that the time course for interspecific competitive exclusion may be long (76 months). The clarity of the biological interrelationships and the constancy of pattern through time provide no support for the contention that intertidal communities are physically-controlled.

Intertidal landscapes: disturbance and the dynamics of pattern [Mytilus californianus, mussels]

Abstract: The mussel Mytilus californianus is a competitive dominant on wave—swept rocky intertidal shores. Mussel beds may exist as extensive monocultures; more often they are an everchanging mosaic of many species which inhabit wave—generated patches or gaps. This paper describes observations and experiments designed to measure the critical parameters of a model of patch birth and death, and to use the model to predict the spatial structure of mussel beds. Most measurements were made at Tatoosh Island, Washington, USA, from 1970—1979. Patch size ranged at birth from a single mussel to 38 m2; the distribution of patch sizes approximates the lognormal. Birth rates varied seasonally and regionally. At Tatoosh the rate of patch formation varied during six winters from 0.4—5.4% of the mussels removed per month. The disturbance regime during the summer and at two mainland sites was 5—10 times less. Annual disturbance patterns tended to be synchronous within 11 sites on one face of Tatoosh over a 10—yr interval, and over larger distances (16 km) along the coastline. The pattern was asynchronous, however, among four Tatoosh localities. Patch birth rate, and mean and maximum size at birth can be used as adequate indices of disturbance. Patch disappearance (death) occurs by three mechanisms. Very small patches disappear almost immediately due to a leaning response of the border mussels (0.2 cm/d). Intermediate—sized patches (<3.0 m2) are eventually obliterated by lateral movement of the peripheral mussels: estimates based on 94 experimental patches yield a mean shrinking rate of 0.05 cm/d from each of two principal dimensions. Depth of the adjacent mussel bed accounts for much of the local variation in closing rate. In very large patches, mussels must recruit as larvae from the plankton. Recovery begins at an average patch age of 26 mo; rate of space occupation, primarily due to individual growth, is 2.0—2.5%/mo. Winter birth rates suggest a mean turnover time (rotation period) for mussel beds varying from 8.1—34.7 yr, depending on the location. The minimal value is in close agreement with both observed and calculated minimal recovery times. Projections of total patch area, based on the model, are accurate to within 5% of the observed. Using a method for determining the age of patches, based on a growth curve of the barnacle Balanus cariosus, the model permits predictions of the age—size structure of the patch population. The model predicts with excellent resolution the distribution of patch area in relation to time since last disturbance. The most detailed models which include size structure within age categories are inconclusive due to small sample size. Predictions are food for large patches, the major determinants of environmental patterns, but cannot deal adequately with smaller patches because of stochastic effects. Colonization data are given in relation to patch age, size and intertidal position. We suggest that the reproductive season of certain long—lived, patch—dependent species is moulded by the disturbance regime. The necessary and vital connection between disturbance which generates spatial pattern and species richness in communities open to invasion is discussed.

The mussel Mytilus: ecology, physiology, genetics and culture

Abstract: Contributing Authors. Preface. 1. Systematics and Geographic Distribution of Mytilus (E.M. Gosling). Introduction. Taxonomy of Mytilus . Geographic Distribution of Mytilus . Acknowledgements. References. 2. The Evolution and Success of the Heteromyarian Form in the Mytiloida (B. Morton). Introduction. The Primitive Bivalve. Functional Morphology of Mytilus . The Evolution of the Mytiloida. Discussion. References. 3. Ecology and Morphology of Larval and Early Postlarval Mussels (R.A. Lutz and M.J. Kennish). Introduction. Fertilization, Embryogenesis and Larval Development. Settlement and Metamorphosis. Larval Dispersal and Recruitment. Larval and Postlarval Shell Morphology. Identification of Larval and Early Postlarval Bivalves. Acknowledgement. References. 4. Population and Community Ecology of Mytilus (R. Seed and T.H. Suchanek). Introduction. Distributional and Zonational Patterns. Reproduction. Settlement and Recruitment. Somatic Growth. Production. Mortality. The Mytilus Bed Community. Disturbance and Recovery of Mytilus Beds. References. 5. Physiological Interrelations, and the Regulation of Production (A.J.S. Hawkins and B.L. Bayne). Introduction. Physiology of Production. Regulation of Production. Synopsis. References. 6. Cellular Biochemistry and Endocrinology (A. de Zwaan and M. Mathieu). Cellular Energy Metabolism in the Mytilidae: An Overview. Aerobic Metabolism at the Organism, the Tissue and Subcellular Level. Anaerobic Metabolism. The Pentose Phosphate Pathway. Metabolic Rate. Lipid Metabolism. Metabolism and Gametogenesis: Neuroendocrine Regulation. Acknowledgements. References. 7. Genetics of Mytilus (E.M. Gosling). Introduction. Population Genetics. Cytogenetics. Genetics and Mariculture. Acknowledgements. References. 8. Mussels and Environmental contaminants: Bioaccumulation and Physiological Aspects (J.Widdows and P. Donkin). Introduction. 'Mussel Watch' Concept. Advantages of Using Mussels for Monitoring. Environmental Contamination. Factors Affecting Bioaccumulation of Chemical Contaminants in Mussels. Factors Affecting Bioaccumulation: Implications For Monitoring Programmes. Role of Combined Measurement of Physiological Energetics and Tissue Residue Chemistry in Ecotoxicology. Conclusions. References. 9. Mussels and Environmental Contaminants: Molecular and Cellular Aspects (D.R. Livingstone and R.K. Pipe). Introduction. Molecular Aspects. Cellular Aspects. Pollution Monitoring. Acknowledgements. References. 10. Mussel Cultivation (R.W. Hickman). Introduction. Aquaculture Characteristics of Mussels. Methods of Cultivation. Farm Management. Mussel Culture Productivity and Economics. Constraints on Mussel Cultivation. The Future of Mussel Farming. References. 11. Mussels and Public Health (S.E. Shumway). Introduction. Diseases Transmitted by Mussels. Depuration. Monitoring and Regulations. Conclusions. Acknowledgements. References. 12. Diseases and Parasites of Mussels (S.M. Bower). Introduction. Viruses. Bacteria.