Digestion in a subtidal population of Mercenaria mercenaria (Bivalvia) |
| |
Authors: | W E Robinson R W Langton |
| |
Institution: | (1) Marine Science Institute, Northeastern University, 01908 Nahant, MA, USA;(2) Northeast Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, MA 02543 Woods Hole, USA |
| |
Abstract: | The digestive processes of Mercenaria mercenaria (Linn.) were studied in a natural subtidal population. Hourly sampling of 4 to 5 quahogs was conducted over one 25 h period in August, 1978, at Woods Hole, Ma., USA. Crystalline style length did not vary significantly with time, tide, particulate C, N or suspended material in the water. Changes in secretory activity of the style sac epithelium were not evident from histological sections. Based on cellular morphological differences, digestive tubules were individually classified into one of 4 categories, indicative of the state of intracellular digestion within the digestive cells. All 4 tubule types were present in individuals from each sample hour, signifying that intracellular digestion occurs continually within the digestive gland. A 3 h time lag is evident between times of peak C, N or suspended materials and apparent peak levels of absorptive (Type II) tubules.Contribution No. 76 Marine Science Institute, Northeastern University; Nahant, MA 01908, USA |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|