QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

First published online May 1, 2006
Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 1996-2003 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02234

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moeser, G. M. Articles by Carrington, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Moeser, G. M. Articles by Carrington, E.

Seasonal variation in mussel byssal thread mechanics

Gretchen M. Moeser^*, and Emily Carrington^*

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA

Author for correspondence (e-mail: gmmoeser{at}u.washington.edu)

Accepted 21 March 2006

The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, attaches itself to the substrate by producing a radially arranged complex of collagenous byssal threads. The strength of byssal attachment, or tenacity, has been shown to vary seasonally on Rhode Island shores, increasing twofold in spring in comparison with fall. It was previously assumed that this seasonality was due to increased thread production following periods of increased wave action; however, recent findings do not support this view. As an alternate hypothesis, this study evaluates the contribution of seasonal changes in the material properties of byssal threads to an annual cycle in mussel attachment strength. Tensile mechanical tests were performed seasonally, on both newly produced threads and on threads outplanted in the field for up to nine weeks. Threads produced in spring were over 60% stronger and 83% more extensible than threads produced in all other seasons. The mechanical integrity of byssal threads also deteriorated over time in spring and summer. These results suggest that reduced attachment strength in fall reflects the production of inferior quality threads following a period of increased decay. Here, we propose a new scheme where variation in byssal thread material properties, rather than quantity, explains the seasonal pattern in attachment strength observed on Rhode Island shores.

Key words: Mytilus, byssus, attachment strength, material properties, tenacity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. L. Brazee and E. Carrington Interspecific Comparison of the Mechanical Properties of Mussel Byssus Biol. Bull., December 1, 2006; 211(3): 263 - 274. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]