An endogenous rhythm in shell deposition inCerastoderma edule

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Abstract
The intertidal bivalve,Cerastoderma edule, when grown under constant conditions of temperature, salinity, water flow, light and food supply lays down faint internal shell bands at approximately semi-diurnal intervals, though with wide variations in periodicity from individual to individual. Animals grown continuously immersed under natural light/ dark cycles on a raft or below the tide marks produce similar bands. These bands are very faint compared with those in the shells of animals grown intertidally or under simulated semi-diurnal tidal conditions of emersion and immersion. The bands of intertidal animals also differ in their almost exact coincidence with the number of emersions. Cockles subjected to a diurnal cycle of immersion lay down strong bands coinciding approximately with the number of daily emersions, together with irregular faint bands. Thus the total number of bands exceeds the number of emersions.

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