Abstract
Bivalve molluscs form dense populations that exert profound effects on the particle loads and phytoplankton composition of coastal waters1. It has long been known that bivalves can select among different particle types, including selecting against those of poor nutritional value2,3,4,5, but because of difficulties in observing particle transport processes in the pallial cavity in vivo, the mechanism of selection was not known. We now use a combination of video endoscopy6 and flow cytometry7 to show that oysters can select living particles from non-living detritus on the gills. Our methods could aid the study of suspension feeding in many animal groups.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Dame, R. F. Bivalve Filter Feeders in Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystem Processes. (Springer, Berlin, 1993).
Iglesias, J. I. P., Navarro, E., Jorna, P. A. & Armentia, I. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 162, 177–198 (1992).
Pastoureaud, A., Heral, M., Prous, J., Razet, D. & Russu, P. Oceanol. Acta 19, 79–88 (1996).
Newell, R. I. E. & Jordan, S. J. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 13, 47–53 (1983).
Newell, C. R., Shumway, S. E., Cucci, T. L. & Selvin, R. J. Shellfish Res. 8, 187–196 (1989).
Ward, J. E., MacDonald, B. A., Thompson, R. J. & Beninger, P. G. Limnol. Oceanogr. 38, 265–272 (1993).
Shumway, S. E., Cucci, T. L., Newell, R. C. & Yentsch, C. M. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 91, 77–92 (1985).
Kennedy, V. S. & Newell, R. I. E. The Eastern Oyster:Crassostrea virginica. (Maryland Sea Grant College, College Park, 1996).
Newell, R. I. E. & Langdon, C. J. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 34, 105–115 (1986).
Ward, J. E. et al. Biol. Bull. 186, (1994).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ward, J., Levinton, J., Shumway, S. et al. Site of particle selection in a bivalve mollusc. Nature 390, 131–132 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/36481
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/36481
This article is cited by
-
Comparison of macrobenthic communities between the invasive Spartina alterniflora and native Suaeda glauca habitats in the Yellow River Delta
Wetlands Ecology and Management (2022)
-
First ecotoxicological characterization of paraffin microparticles: a biomarker approach in a marine suspension-feeder, Mytilus sp
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2020)
-
Ecophysiology of the Olympia Oyster, Ostrea lurida, and Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Estuaries and Coasts (2018)
-
The mismatch of bioaccumulated trace metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) in field and transplanted oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) to ambient surficial sediments and suspended particulate matter in a highly urbanised estuary (Sydney estuary, Australia)
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2016)
-
Food sources of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in intertidal areas: evidence from stable isotope analysis
Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology (2013)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.