Morphological variation of Elliptio complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in differing sediments of soft-water lakes exposed to acidic deposition

Abstract

Clam shell morphology was related to lake water chemistry and sediment properties for Elliptio complanata from 40 south central Ontario lakes. Principal component analyses described the major trends in the environmental data. Relationships between shell morphology and the environmental trends were ascertained through a canonical correlation analysis. Thicker shells were related to increasing alkalinity, conductivity, and pH, suggesting that shell formation is favoured in well-buffered habitats that are not affected by acidic deposition. We also determined that narrow shells were related to coarse sediment in deeper water. This pattern of variation in shell morphology may be adaptive because streamlined shells would better enable clams to maintain their position in turbulent habitats. The water chemistry and sediment property correlates with shell morphology were independent of each other. Any attempt to use unionid shells as long-term indicators of changes in environmental water chemistry must be preceded by a consideration of other habitat variables such as water turbulence, sediment type, and depth.