Size-Selective Predation of Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) by Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) under Controlled Field Conditions

The Auk ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana J. Hamilton ◽  
Thomas D. Nudds
Keyword(s):  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Selective Predation ◽  
Blue Mussels ◽  
Common Eiders

A large molluscivore bird (Common Eider, Somateria mollissima) is able to discriminate quality of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) based on size and provenance

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 655-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Varennes ◽  
Sveinn A. Hanssen ◽  
John C. Bonardelli ◽  
Magella Guillemette
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Shell Material ◽  
Blue Mussels ◽  
Common Eiders

Molluscivore birds that forage on abundant but low-quality food have to ingest large quantities of food to achieve energy balance. Such a strategy is often associated with important digestive constraints limiting predator’s ingestion. Thus, these predators may use prey selection to ingest better-quality individuals among a generally low-quality prey population. Using captive Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima (L., 1758)) diving in a constant environment, we were able to examine their preferences for blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L., 1758) of varying qualities (different sizes or provenances). In addition, we studied the consequences prey selection had on Eiders’ energy intake rates and ingestion of flesh and shell material. Eiders selected 10–20 mm mussels and were able to discriminate and to select cultivated mussels from intertidal mussels. Prey selection allowed, in certain conditions of prey-size abundance, higher flesh and energy intake rates without increasing the ingestion of shell material. This study confirmed the energetic advantage that Eiders have when foraging in aquaculture sites, which explain the large depredation of preferred mussel sizes.

Selection of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, by common eiders, Somateria mollissima, by size in relation to shell content

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1787-1790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Ove Bustnes
Keyword(s):  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Blue Mussel ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Subtidal Zone ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Shell Mass ◽  
Common Eiders ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Upper Intertidal ◽  
Shell Content

The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is the most important food item for the common eider, Somateria mollissima, but the mussels eaten by eiders vary in length between both areas and seasons. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the hypothesis that common eiders try to minimize shell intake when selecting among mussels of different lengths. Two types of experiments were conducted using wild common eiders in captivity. Experiment 1 tested whether eiders could seek out the mussels with least relative shell content and highest flesh content from among mussels of an array of lengths. They selected the shortest mussels (<20 mm), which had the lowest shell content. In experiment 2, the eiders were given mussels of the same length class (26-31 mm), but with different shell morphology and shell mass, from the subtidal and upper intertidal zones. The birds only ate the subtidal-zone mussels with the lowest shell mass. The results of this study strongly indicate that reducing the amount of indigestible shell is an important factor for eiders selecting among mussels of different lengths.

Size selection of common mussels, Mytilus edulis, by common eiders, Somateria mollissima: energy maximization or shell weight minimization?

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2280-2283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Ove Bustnes ◽  
Kjell Einar Erikstad
Keyword(s):  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Size Selection ◽  
Common Eiders ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Energy Maximization ◽  
Total Dry Weight ◽  
Selection Of

Prey size selection by common eiders, Somateria mollissima, preying on common mussels, Mytilus edulis, in northern Norway is described. The mean length (± 1 SD) of mussels preyed upon was 13.9 ± 5.7 mm (range 3.5–38.1 mm). The dry flesh weight as a percentage of the total dry weight ranged from 4.2 to 8.6% in different body-length categories and was greatest in the mussels most frequently fed upon. There was a close negative correlation between the size of mussels fed upon and the estimated total shell weight that birds had to ingest to obtain their daily requirement of food (rs = −0.86). A hypothesis is proposed that common eiders select mussels of certain size classes to minimize the daily shell weight intake.

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) quality of preferred prey improves digestion in a molluscivore bird (Common Eider,Somateria mollissima)

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 783-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Varennes ◽  
Sveinn A. Hanssen ◽  
John C. Bonardelli ◽  
Magella Guillemette
Keyword(s):  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Blue Mussel ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Sea Ducks ◽  
Common Eiders ◽  
Energy Assimilation ◽  
Digestive Processes

Benthivorous predators like sea ducks rely on abundant but low-quality food. Because they ingest whole blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L., 1758), including shells, they have to consume large quantities of food to maintain energy balance. Digestive processes may therefore limit energy assimilation in these predators, although selecting mussel types that minimize shell ingestion may improve foraging profitability. To test this prediction, we first quantified mussel quality from different sizes and habitats by measuring energy content and various features of mussel morphology. Then, we conducted digestive experiments on captive Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima (L., 1758)) fed with various mussel types to determine their impact on Eiders’ digestion. Aquacultured and small mussels were of better quality, because of higher energy content and less resistant shells. These mussel characteristics allowed faster digestive processes for an equal digestibility compared with large intertidal mussels. Previous studies showed that aquacultured and small mussels were generally preferred by sea ducks. Hence, prey-selection behaviours and digestive processes seem closely connected in these highly digestive-constrained predators.

Macrophyte-derived detritus in shallow coastal waters contributes to suspended particulate organic matter and increases growth rates of Mytilus edulis

2020 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. 91-103
Author(s):  
D Bearham ◽  
MA Vanderklift ◽  
RA Downie ◽  
DP Thomson ◽  
LA Clementson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Gill Tissue ◽  
Suspension Feeder ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Suspension Feeders ◽  
Blue Mussels ◽  
Suspended Particulate

Benthic suspension feeders, such as bivalves, potentially have several different food sources, including plankton and resuspended detritus of benthic origin. We hypothesised that suspension feeders are likely to feed on detritus if it is present. This inference would be further strengthened if there was a correlation between δ13C of suspension feeder tissue and δ13C of particulate organic matter (POM). Since detritus is characterised by high particulate organic matter (POC):chl a ratios, we would also predict a positive correlation between POM δ13C and POC:chl a. We hypothesised that increasing depth and greater distance from shore would produce a greater nutritional reliance by experimentally transplanted blue mussels Mytilus edulis on plankton rather than macrophyte-derived detritus. After deployments of 3 mo duration in 2 different years at depths from 3 to 40 m, M. edulis sizes were positively correlated with POM concentrations. POC:chl a ratios and δ13C of POM and M. edulis gill tissue decreased with increasing depth (and greater distance from shore). δ13C of POM was correlated with δ13C of M. edulis. Our results suggest that detritus comprised a large proportion of POM at shallow depths (<15 m), that M. edulis ingested and assimilated carbon in proportion to its availability in POM, and that growth of M. edulis was higher where detritus was present and POM concentrations were higher.

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