title: Factors influencing the attachment strength of Dreissena polymorpha (Bivalvia).
abstract: The effects of several factors (shell length, exposure time, substratum orientation in space, illumination, temperature, conspecifics) upon the attachment strength (measured with a digital dynamometer) of the freshwater, gregarious bivalve Dreissena polymorpha were studied under laboratory conditions. A rapid increase in attachment strength was observed on resocart (a thermosetting polymer based on phenol-formaldehyde resin, with paper as filler) substrata during the first 4-d exposure, after which it stabilised at ca 1 N. The attachment strength increased also with mussel size. Mussel adhesion on variously oriented surfaces (vertical, upper horizontal and lower horizontal) was similar. Illumination inhibited attachment strength, as expected for a photophobic species, but only after a 2-d exposure. After 6 d, no effects of light were detected. Thus, illumination seemed to influence the attachment rate, rather than the final strength. The optimum temperature for mussel attachment was 20- 25 degrees C. At lower and higher temperatures (5-15 degrees C and 30 degrees C), their adhesion strength decreased. The presence of conspecifics stimulated mussel attachment strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Institute of General and Molecular Biology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland. jkob@biol.uni.torun.pl
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kobak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049875:Dreissena / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D000267:Tissue Adhesions