S. Bougrier, A.J.S. Hawkins, M. Heral-1997
Aquaculture, 150: 123-134
Abstract:
The potential impact of selective grazing by filter-feeding bivalves
was studied on the relative composition of both planktonic and
benthic algae that are commonly suspended in coastal areas. Different
feeding behaviour was observed in the oyster Crassostrea gigas and
the mussel Mytilus edulis. C. gigas preferentially filtered and rejected
(as pseudofaeces prior to ingestion) diatom species relative to
flagellates. These differences appear to depend upon differences in
algal shape and flexibility. Findings also suggest that ratios of
rejection to filtration for flagellate species were influenced by the
planktonic or benthic origin of the other available algal species.
Future studies of trophic flux and resource utilisation should therefore
consider the extent to which different filter-feeding species may
preferentially filter and/or ingest separate algal species that are
simultaneously available in the surrounding seston.
(CNRS-IFREMER, Crema, BP 5, 17137 L'Houmeau, France)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------