Investigation of factors influencing mortality in Mytilus edulis L.
Worrall, C.M.; Widdows, J. (1984). Investigation of factors influencing mortality in Mytilus edulis L. Mar. biol. lett. 5(2): 85-97
In: Marine Biology Letters. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0165-859X, more
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| Keywords |
Mortality causes
Population functions > Mortality
Spawning
Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Worrall, C.M.
- Widdows, J., more
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| Abstract |
The mortality of M. Edulis at the River Lynher, Plymouth, England, was related to the reproductive cycle and spawning activity. High non-predatory mortality in the spring was correlated with spawning but there was no correlation with temperature and there did not appear to be relationship with seasonal fluctuation in food supply. Highest mortalities were in the medium to large size classes which have the highest reproductive effort. Predators of the mussedl bed consisted of the shore crab (Carcinus maenas) and the oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). They accounted for approximately 28% of the observed annual mortality, the remaining 72% being due to non-predatory factors. |
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