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An extraordinary reproductive strategy in freshwater bivalves: prey mimicry to facilitate larval dispersal
Author(s) -
HAAG WENDELL R.,
BUTLER ROBERT S.,
HARTFIELD PAUL D.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1995.tb00904.x
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , biology , obligate , predation , larva , ecology , congener , zoology , freshwater bivalve , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , mollusca , bivalvia , population , chemistry , sociology , demography , chromatography
SUMMARY 1. Females of the North American freshwater bivalve Lampsilis perovalis release their larvae, which are obligate parasites on fish, in a discrete mass (superconglutinate) resembling a small fish in shape and coloration. After release, the mass remains tethered to the female by a long, transparent, mucous strand and, in stream currents, displays a darting motion that further mimics a small fish. 2. Release of superconglutinates was observed in March and April at water temperatures of 14–17 °C. However, superconglutinates detached from the parent mussel were observed from March to June at water temperatures of 11–26 °C, indicating that release may occur into the summer. 3. The superconglutinate lure may function to attract a predaceous fish to ingest the mass, ensuring that the larvae are exposed to a suitable host. 4. This reproductive strategy was confirmed recently to occur in a congener, L. subangulata and is suspected to occur in another congener, L. australis.