Published 4 issues per year
ISSN Print: 1521-9429
ISSN Online: 1940-4328
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Distribution of diatoms on shells of Black Sea mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. depending on age of the mussels
ABSTRACT
A new methodological approach is described for studying the quantitative distribution of diatoms (number of species, quantity, biomass. Shannon species diversity index) on the shells of Black Sea mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. using mussel shell annual growth rings as the age marker. Three age groups of animals were examined: group I, from 0.5 to 2.0 years (49 specimens); group II, from 2.5 to 4.0 years (42 specimens), and group III, from 4,5 to 10 years (25 specimens). Maximum values of diatomic species quantity (S = 38), species diversity index (H' = 4.25), quantity (N = 830 · 103 cells · cm-2), and biomass (B = 3.69 mg · cm-2) were recorded in spring on the mussel shells of group II. Test of the hypothesis of a direct relation of diatom distribution on mussel shells to age of the mollusks showed that the distinctions obtained were statistically insignificant. Ecological factors of the environment affect the qualitative composition and quantitative distribution of diatoms on mussel shells more significantly than does the individual age of mollusks.