Feeding rate ofMytilus edulisL. (Bivalvia) from different parts of Danish waters in water of different turbidity

Abstract

The feeding rate of Mytilus edulis L. from different parts of Danish waters was measured in different concentrations of talcum simulating different concentrations of mud. Dyed yeast was used as food. The feeding rate decreased drastically with increased concentrations of talcum. At high concentrations of talcum Mytilus from the Wadden Sea fed at about twice the rate as Mytilus from other Danish waters. This is correlated with the size of the labial palps which are about twice as large in Mytilus from the Wadden Sea as in Mytilus from other Danish waters.