Species differentiation of the glochidia of Anodonta cataracta Say, 1817 and Anodonta implicata Say, 1829 (Mollusca: Unionidae) by scanning electron microscopy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Morphology of shell valves, shell valve terminal plates, marginal and plate protuberances, sensory tufts, and valvular pores was studied for usefulness in congeneric differentiation of glochidia of Anodonta cataracta Say, 1817 and A. implicata Say, 1829 from two lakes in Nova Scotia. Investigation was with a Cambridge S150 scanning electron microscope operated at 10 kV. Shell valve and terminal plate structures and spatial and size frequency distributions of plate protuberances allow discrimination of these two species of Anodonta. The tubercle-like protuberances probably aid attachment to fish hosts, sensory tufts aid in detection of host and environmental stimuli, and valvular pores may function in nutrition and respiration of glochidia. Possible function of valvular pores was inferred from the observation that they penetrate mantle and valves completely.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: