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Hydrodynamic stress and habitat partitioning between indigenous (Perna perna) and invasive (Mytilus galloprovincialis) mussels: constraints of an evolutionary strategy

Hydrodynamic stress and habitat partitioning between indigenous (Perna perna) and invasive (Mytilus galloprovincialis) mussels: constraints of an evolutionary strategy
Hydrodynamic stress and habitat partitioning between indigenous (Perna perna) and invasive (Mytilus galloprovincialis) mussels: constraints of an evolutionary strategy
The ability of a mussel to withstand wave-generated hydrodynamic stress depends mainly on its byssal attachment strength. This study investigated causes and consequences of different attachment strengths of the two dominant mussels species on the South African south coast, the invasive Mytilus galloprovincialis and the indigenous Perna perna, which dominate the upper and the lower areas of the lower balanoid zone, respectively and co-exist in the middle area. Attachment strength of P. perna was significantly higher than that of M. galloprovincialis. Likewise solitary mussels were more strongly attached than mussels living within mussel beds (bed mussels), and in both cases this can be explained by more and thicker byssal threads. Having a wider shell, M. galloprovincialis is also subjected to higher hydrodynamic loads than P. perna. Attachment strength of both species increased from higher to lower shore, in response to a gradient of stronger wave action. The morphological features of the invasive species and its higher mortality rates during winter storms help to explain the exclusion of M. galloprovincialis from the low shore. The results are discussed in the context of the evolutionary strategy of the alien mussel, which directs most of its energy to fast growth and high reproductive output, apparently at the cost of reduced attachment strength. This raises the prediction that its invasive impact will be more pronounced at sites subject to strong but not extreme wave action.
0025-3162
79-88
Zardi, G.I.
bfcabb0d-10ce-4d7c-adbd-0963ee4be9e5
Nicastro, K.R.
3ed15793-deb9-466b-8624-0aad3c4a012a
McQuaid, C.D.
23e07469-fd84-40fd-8d2b-fce56c83cf08
Rius, M.
c4e88345-4b4e-4428-b4b2-37229155f68d
Porri, F.
90aaedd7-abe6-4666-8c8b-c944cdd311f8
Zardi, G.I.
bfcabb0d-10ce-4d7c-adbd-0963ee4be9e5
Nicastro, K.R.
3ed15793-deb9-466b-8624-0aad3c4a012a
McQuaid, C.D.
23e07469-fd84-40fd-8d2b-fce56c83cf08
Rius, M.
c4e88345-4b4e-4428-b4b2-37229155f68d
Porri, F.
90aaedd7-abe6-4666-8c8b-c944cdd311f8

Zardi, G.I., Nicastro, K.R., McQuaid, C.D., Rius, M. and Porri, F. (2006) Hydrodynamic stress and habitat partitioning between indigenous (Perna perna) and invasive (Mytilus galloprovincialis) mussels: constraints of an evolutionary strategy. Marine Biology, 150 (1), 79-88. (doi:10.1007/s00227-006-0328-y).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The ability of a mussel to withstand wave-generated hydrodynamic stress depends mainly on its byssal attachment strength. This study investigated causes and consequences of different attachment strengths of the two dominant mussels species on the South African south coast, the invasive Mytilus galloprovincialis and the indigenous Perna perna, which dominate the upper and the lower areas of the lower balanoid zone, respectively and co-exist in the middle area. Attachment strength of P. perna was significantly higher than that of M. galloprovincialis. Likewise solitary mussels were more strongly attached than mussels living within mussel beds (bed mussels), and in both cases this can be explained by more and thicker byssal threads. Having a wider shell, M. galloprovincialis is also subjected to higher hydrodynamic loads than P. perna. Attachment strength of both species increased from higher to lower shore, in response to a gradient of stronger wave action. The morphological features of the invasive species and its higher mortality rates during winter storms help to explain the exclusion of M. galloprovincialis from the low shore. The results are discussed in the context of the evolutionary strategy of the alien mussel, which directs most of its energy to fast growth and high reproductive output, apparently at the cost of reduced attachment strength. This raises the prediction that its invasive impact will be more pronounced at sites subject to strong but not extreme wave action.

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More information

Published date: October 2006
Organisations: Ocean Biochemistry & Ecosystems

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 355039
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/355039
ISSN: 0025-3162
PURE UUID: d4f5c9ae-4c45-4048-8a45-bdeaa7c2e723

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Date deposited: 25 Jul 2013 15:11
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 14:28

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Contributors

Author: G.I. Zardi
Author: K.R. Nicastro
Author: C.D. McQuaid
Author: M. Rius
Author: F. Porri

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