Predator-labeling effect on byssus production in marine mussels Perna viridis (L.) and Brachidontes variabilis (krauss)

Mussels Perna viridis and Brachidontes variabilis were exposed to chemical cues from the predatory crab Thalamita danae maintained on different diets, and byssal thread production of the mussels was studied. P. viridis produced the highest number as well as the thickest and longest byssal threads wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical ecology 2006-07, Vol.32 (7), p.1501-1512
Main Authors: CHEUNG, S. G, LUK, K. C, SHIN, P. K. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal behavior
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Bivalvia - anatomy & histology
Bivalvia - physiology
Brachidontes variabilis
Brachyura - physiology
Crustaceans
Decapoda
Diet
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Mollusks
Monodonta labio
Oysters
Perna viridis
Predators
Predatory Behavior
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Saccostrea cucullata
Seawater
Shellfish
Thalamita
Tides
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Summary:Mussels Perna viridis and Brachidontes variabilis were exposed to chemical cues from the predatory crab Thalamita danae maintained on different diets, and byssal thread production of the mussels was studied. P. viridis produced the highest number as well as the thickest and longest byssal threads when they were exposed to crabs maintained on a diet of P. viridis as compared with those exposed to crabs maintained on a diet of the top shell Monodonta labio, the rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata, or crabs that were starved. For B. variabilis, results were similar, in that a diet containing B. variabilis elicited the greatest response as compared with other treatments. This indicates that the mussels were able to discriminate chemical cues released from predators maintained on different diets, and respond accordingly to the level of predation risk. By increasing the strength of byssal attachment as a defensive trait, the chance of being dislodged and consumed by crabs is reduced. As energy cost involved in the induction of an antipredatory response is considerable, this defensive trait seems to be an advantage to the mussels in enhancing efficiency. The short response time in byssal thread production allows the mussels to increase resistance against predation by crabs at the time when predation pressure is the highest in a tidal cycle.
ISSN:0098-0331
1573-1561
DOI:10.1007/s10886-006-9065-4