Feeding Behaviour of the Mussel, Mytilus edulis: New Observations, with a Minireview of Current Knowledge

Figure 3

Mytilus edulis. Steady-state feeding experiments (no. 1 to no. 10, Table 1) conducted with a group of 20 mussels during a period of 50 days. (A) Measured algal concentration in aquarium with mussels. Arrows indicate addition of algal cells to instantly establish a desired new algal concentration. (B) Estimated filtration rate using (1) (open and closed symbols) or using (2) (cross). Symbols: closed circle is steady state at low algal concentration (about 2,000 cells mL⁻¹); closed triangle is steady state at high algal concentration (>2,000 cells mL⁻¹); open square is algal concentration after incipient saturation of mussels; cross is reduction in algal concentration after stoppage of algal dosing pump and water through-flow. Numbers indicate series (Table 1).