Effects of the deposit-feeding benthic bivalve Macoma balthica on meiobenthos

Corresponding trends in δ13C values for particulate organic carbon (POC) and the tissues of several filter-feeding bivalve mollusks in the Sheepscot estuary, Maine, indicate assimilation of terrestrial organic matter by these estuarine organisms. An adjacent estuary, the Damariscotta, of similar morphology but receiving little river input shows no such isotope change in either POC or bivalves, but rather a domination by marine isotopic values. Geographically localized or species-specific departures from these trends appear to be related to two mechanisms: (1) the influence of locally abundant, isotopically distinct, aquatic macrophytes in an area of seasonally low flushing; (2) surface-deposit feeding on benthic microalgae with anomolously high δ13C values.Key words: δ13C, Mytilus edulis, Mya arenaria, Macoma balthica, POC, estuarine comparisons, bivalve feeding

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The role of bacterial exopolymer and suspended bacteria in the nutrition of the deposit-feeding clam, Macoma balthica

Journal of Marine Research ◽

10.1357/002224084788520774 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 957-968 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ronald W. Harvey ◽

Samuel N. Luoma

Keyword(s):

Macoma Balthica ◽

Deposit Feeding

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Determining the availability of sediment-bound trace metals to aquatic deposit-feeding animals

Open-File Report ◽

10.3133/ofr80341 ◽

1980 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Samuel N. Luoma ◽

D.J. Cain ◽

E.A. Thomson ◽

C. Johansson ◽

E.A. Jenne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Deposit Feeding

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Do the assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in nearshore waters of Western Australia vary among habitat types, zones and seasons?

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315405011100h ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (2) ◽

pp. 217-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

M.D. Wildsmith ◽

I.C. Potter ◽

F.J. Valesini ◽

M.E. Platell

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Subtidal Zone ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Environmental Characteristics ◽

Deposit Feeding ◽

Number Of Individuals

Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled seasonally in the subtidal and upper and lower swash zones at two sites in each of six nearshore habitat types on the lower west coast of Australia. The habitat types, which differed mainly in the extent of their exposure to wave activity and whether sea grass and/or nearshore reefs were present, had been distinguished quantitatively using values for a suite of seven statistically-selected enduring environmental characteristics (Valesini et al., 2003). The core samples yielded 121 species representing eight phyla, among which the Polychaeta, Malacostraca and Bivalvia were the most speciose classes, contributing ∼38, 23 and 10%, respectively, to the total number of individuals. The total number of species and mean density of macroinvertebrates at the most protected habitat type (1), i.e. 70 and 209·2 individuals 0·1 m−2, respectively, were far greater than in any other habitat type. Habitat type influenced species composition to a greater extent than either zone or season. Furthermore, the extents of the differences among the species compositions of the six habitat types statistically matched the extents of the differences among the values for the suite of enduring environmental characteristics that distinguished each of those habitat types. Overall, the species composition at habitat type 1 was the most distinct, containing five abundant species of polychaetes that were adapted to deposit-feeding in calm waters with high levels of organic material and which were rare in all other habitat types. In contrast, the fauna at the most exposed habitat type was characterized by four crustacean species and a species of bivalve and polychaete, whose mobility and tough external surface facilitated their survival and feeding in turbulent waters. The zonal differences in faunal compositions among habitat types were greatest in the case of the subtidal zone. The faunal compositions differed among zones and seasons only at the most protected habitat type.

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