Abstract
The annual cycle of carbon and nitrogen content of the flesh of wild and cultivated mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) in Killary Harbour, Ireland, was measured over two years, starting in February, 1980 and ending in November, 1981. The carbon and nitrogen contents of mussel gametes were determined and the allometry of growth of wild and cultured mussel shells was examined with respect to length, weight and organic content. The carbon and nitrogen contents of the organic fraction of the shell were determined. These data were combined with those we had previously published on growth rate, gametogenesis and the annual cycle of ash-free dry weight (AFDW) of mussels in the same locality. Estimates were made of fecundity, reproductive effort and the partitioning of carbon and nitrogen between soma, gametes and shell. In suspended culture, cumulative production after eighteen months is equal to cumulative production after six to seven years on the shore. For comparison, partitioning of carbon and nitrogen resources between soma, shell and gonad is estimated when total cumulative production by wild and cultivated mussels is approximately equal. Differences in resource allocation are considerable. Wild mussels allocate some 57% of their carbon budget and 52% of their nitrogen budget to gamete output. In culture, mussels allocate only 22% of their carbon budget and 19% of their nitrogen budget to gamete output. It is concluded that in response to a higher production rate, cultivated mussels increase allocation of resources to somatic growth.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature cited
Ansell, A. D. and P. Sividas: Some effects of temperature and starvation on the bivalve Donax vittatus (da Costa) in experimental laboratory populations. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 13, 229–262 (1973)
Bayne, B. L., D. L. Holland, M. N. Moore, D. M. Lowe and J. Widdows: Further studies on the effects of stress in the adult on the eggs of Mytilus edulis. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 58, 825–841 (1978)
Bayne, B. L. and R. C. Newell: Physiological energetics of marine molluscs. In: The Mollusca, Vol 4, part 1. pp 407–415. Ed. by A. S. M. Saleuddin and K. M. Wilbur. New York: Academic Press 1983
Bayne, B. L., P. N. Salkeld and C. M. Worrall: Reproductive effort and value in different populations of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis L. Oecologia (Berl.) 59, 18–26 (1983)
Bayne, B. L. and C. M. Worrall: Growth and production of mussels Mytilus edulis from two populations. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 3, 317–328 (1980)
Bricelj, V. M. and R. E. Malouf: Aspects of reproduction of hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) in Great South Bay, New York. Proc natl Shellfish Ass. 70, 216–229 (1980)
Calow, P.: The cost of reproduction — a physiological approach. Biol. Rev. 54, 23–40 (1979)
Calow, P. and A. S. Woollhead: The relationship between ration, reproductive effort and age-specific mortality in the evolution of life history strategies — some observations on freshwater triclads. J. Anim. Ecol. 46, 765–781 (1977)
Crisp, D. J.: Energy flow measurements. In: Methods for the study of marine benthos, pp 197–279. Ed. by N. A. Holme and A. D. McIntyre. Oxford Blackwell 1971
Dare, P. J. and D. B. Edwards: Seasonal changes in flesh weight and biochemical composition of mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) in the Conwy estuary, North Wales J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 18, 89–97 (1975)
De Zwaan, A. and D. I. Zandee: Body distribution and seasonal changes in the glycogen content of the common sea mussle Mytilus edulis. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 43A, 53–58 (1972)
Goodman, D.: Regulating reproductive effort in a changing environment. Am. Nat. 113, 735–748 (1979)
Griffiths, C. L. and J. A. King: Energy expended on growth and gonad output in the ribbed mussel Aulacomya ater. Mar. Biol. 53, 217–222 (1979)
Hibbert, C. J.: Biomass and production of a bivalve community on an intertidal mudflat. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 15, 249–261 (1976)
Hirshfield, M. F.: An experimental analysis of reproductive effort and cost in the Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes. Ecology 61, 282–292 (1980)
Hughes, R. N.: An energy budget for a tidal flat population of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana (da Costa). J. Anim. Ecol. 39, 357–381 (1970)
Ivell, R.: A quantitative study of a Cerastoderma-Nephthys community in the Limfjord, Denmark, with special reference to production of Cerastoderma edule. J. moll. Stud. 47, 147–170 (1981)
Jordan, T. E. and I. Valiela: A nitrogen budget of the ribbed mussel, Geukensia demissa, and its significance in a New England salt marsh. Limnol. Oceanog. 27, 75–90 (1982)
Lowe, D. M., M. N. Moore and B. L. Bayne: Aspects of gametogenesis in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 62, 133–145 (1982)
Rodhouse, P. G.: Energy transformations by the oyster Ostrea edulis L. in a temperate estuary. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 34, 1–22 (1978)
Rodhouse, P. G.: A note on the energy budget for an oyster population in a temperate estuary. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 37, 205–212 (1979)
Rodhouse, P. G., C. M. Roden, G. M. Burnell, M. P. Hensey, T. McMahon, B. Ottway and T. H. Ryan: Food resource, gametogenesis and growth of Mytilus edulis on the shore and in suspended culture: Killary Harbour, Ireland. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 64, 513–529 (1984)
Schafee, M. S.: Ecophysiological studies on a temperate bivalve Chlamys varia (L.) from Lanveoc (Bay of Brest), 220 pp. Ph. D. thesis, Universite de Bretagne Occidentale 1980
Sprung, M.: Reproduction and fecundity of the mussel Mytilus edulis at Helgoland (North Sea). Helgol. Meeresunters. 36, 243–255 (1983)
Thompson, R. J.: Fecundity and reproductive effort in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) and the snow crab (Chionocetes opilio) from populations in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 36, 995–964 (1979)
Thompson, R. J.: The relationship between food ration and reproductive effort in the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Oecologia (Berl.) 51, 50–57 (1983)
Thompson, R. J.: Production, reproductive effort, reproductive value and reproductive cost in a population of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis from a subarctic environment. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 16, 249–257 (1984)
Vahl, O.: Energy transformations by the Iceland scallop Chlamys islandica (O. F. Muller), from 70°N I. The age specific energy budget and net growth efficiency. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 53, 281–296 (1981)
Warren, C. E. and G. E. Davis: Laboratory studies on the feeding, bioenergetics and growth of fish. In: The biological basis of freshwater fish production, pp 175–214. Ed. by S. D. Gerking. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1967
Wilbur, K. M.: Shell formation and regeneration. In: Physiology of the Mollusca. I. pp 243–282. Ed. by K. M. Wilbur and C. M. Younge. London: Academic Press 1964
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by M. Shick, Orono
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rodhouse, P.G., Roden, C.M., Hensey, M.P. et al. Resource allocation in Mytilus edulis on the shore and in suspended culture. Mar. Biol. 84, 27–34 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394523
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394523