Burrowing behaviour of the softshell clam ( Mya arenaria) following erosion and transport

Abstract

Erosion and transport of juvenile individuals may alter the distribution pattern of intertidal bivalves. The burrowing success of recently transported juvenile softshell clams ( Mya arenaria) was studied in a laboratory flume under a wide range of hydrosedimentary environments. Juvenile individuals (5–20 mm) were observed under a simulated 30 min slack tide before initiating the flow for a period of 60 min. Five different free-stream velocities (0, 3, 5, 10 and 24 cm s − 1 ) and four sediment types (mud, sandy-mud, sand and gravel) were used. The mean proportion of juvenile clams that initiated (MPI) or completed (MPC) a burial decreased with increasing shell length. Erosion from the sediment was more important in large juveniles suggesting that large juveniles may have more difficulty successfully relocating once transported. The MPI increased with increasing flow speed in experimental runs held at speed < 24 cm s − 1 . This was observed in all sediment types. Most individuals were unable to burrow at 24 cm s − 1 because they got eroded. The MPC also increased with increasing flow speed in mud, sandy-mud and sand. The MPC's response to flow was more complex in gravel because of a shell length × flow speed interaction effect. Our observations suggest that water movement may induce the burrowing behaviour of recently eroded juvenile clams. Results are discussed in an ecological and aquacultural context.