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MEPS 260:125-140 (2003)
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Abstract
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Settlement success, spatial pattern and behavior of mussel larvae Mytilus spp. in experimental 'downwelling' systems of varying velocity and turbulence
Fabrice Pernet1,4,*, Réjean Tremblay2, Edwin Bourget1,3
1Québec Océan, Université Laval, Pavillon Vachon, Cité universitaire, Québec G1K 7P4, Canada
2Societé de Devéloppement de l'Industrie Maricole (SODIM), 137-3 rue de la Reine, Gaspé, Québec G5X 1T5, Canada
3Vice-rectorat à la recherche, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon central, Sherbrooke, Québec J1R 2R1, Canada
4Present address: National Research Council, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3Z1, Canada
*Email: fabrice.pernet@nrc.ca
ABSTRACT: This paper presents results of the effect of water flow in experimental 'downwelling' systems on settlement success, settler distribution and behavior of Mytilus spp. larvae. The hypothesis of active habitat selection in relation to
hydrodynamics was tested by direct observation of larvae during settlement using an endoscope camera and the comparison of distribution of settled larvae with that of inert particles mimicking passive behavior. The downwelling system consisted of
cylinders in which water inflow was controlled. Six water flows, from 0 to 50 l h-1, were used in quadruplicate. An acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was used to measure velocity fluctuations in 3 dimensions along 4 transects per experimental
unit. Settlement success was positively correlated with centrifugal and advective flow velocity and turbulence measured immediately above the mesh bottom. Mussel larvae actively selected microhabitats characterized by low shear stress and high advection
when water flow in the cylinders ranged from 0 to 40 l h-1. At higher water flow, mussel larvae were distributed similarly to passive particles and are apparently unable to overcome the flow regime, thus limiting their ability to exhibit
settlement preference. In this study, total conformity between settlement and inert particle patterns was never reached, suggesting that settlement was, to a certain extent, under behavioral control.
KEY WORDS: Larvae · Hydrodynamic · Settlement · Distribution · Bivalve · Mussel
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
260
(2003) on September 30
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2003
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