Biological control of marine sediment stability by the mussels Mytilus edulis L. and Modiolus modiolus (L.)

QL Zoology;QH Natural history

Shand, Peter ; Meadows, P.S.

University:University of Glasgow

关键词: QL Zoology;    QH Natural history;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2320/1/1987shandphd.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

The work reported in this thesis is divided into 3 main sections as follows. Section 1. The external morphology of byssus threads produced by Mytilus edulis and Modiolus modiolus was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Section 2. Several laboratory experiments were performed to determine how sediment with stones at different layers and of different particle size ranges affects byssus thread production. These experiments were: (i) An initial experiment to determine the rate of byssus thread production. (ii) The response of single animals and groups of animals to different particle size ranges of sediment. (iii) The response of single animals and groups of animals to experimental sediments (particle size range < 2.0cm) with stones present or not present at different depths. Section 3. Experiments were performed to determine the effects of single animals and groups of animals on sediment stability. All experiments were performed under controlled conditions in an experimental sea water flume. These experiments were: (i) the effects of single animals on sediment stability in different particle size ranges of sediment. (ii) the effects of groups of animals on sediment stability in different particle size ranges of sediment. (iii) the effects of groups of animals on sediment stability in sediment of particle size < 2.00mm, with stones present or not present at different depths.