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1 June 2008 Nutrient release and ecological stoichiometry of freshwater mussels (Mollusca:Unionidae) in 2 small, regionally distinct streams
Alan D. Christian, Betty G. Crump, David J. Berg
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Abstract

Ecological stoichiometry is the study of the balance of multiple elements in ecological interactions and processes. We investigated the ecological stoichiometry of freshwater mussels across 3 seasons at 2 sites each in an agricultural watershed (Little Darby Creek [LD], Ohio) and a forested watershed (Upper Ouachita River [OR], Arkansas) (2 species/stream). We used nutrient-release experiments to determine C, N, and P content and elemental ratios in seston and in consumer-driven nutrient recycling (CNR) components (mussel soft tissues, shells, biodeposited material, and excreted nutrients). We focused on seasonal patterns of: 1) biodeposition and excretion rates; 2) seston and CNR component % C, % N, % P, C:N, C:P, and N:P; and 3) degree of homeostasis in mussels. Differences in mass-specific biodeposition and excretion rates were driven largely by seasonal factors. Percent P, C:N, C:P, and N:P of seston were seasonally variable in LD, and % C, % N, % P, C:N, C:P, and N:P of seston were seasonally variable in OR. Mussel tissues and biodeposited materials were variable for 3 to 5 of the 6 nutrient metrics in both LD and OR. Mussel shell and soft-tissue nutrient stoichiometry were relatively homeostatic and fell within stoichiometric ranges of other macroinvertebrates, except that mussel tissue had higher % P and lower C:P and N:P than are usually observed in other macroinvertebrates. Mussels can repackage nutrients in stream seston and fine benthic organic matter in the form of biodeposited material and excreted nutrients, thereby providing a significant source of C, N, and P for other benthic organisms.

Alan D. Christian, Betty G. Crump, and David J. Berg "Nutrient release and ecological stoichiometry of freshwater mussels (Mollusca:Unionidae) in 2 small, regionally distinct streams," Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27(2), 440-450, (1 June 2008). https://doi.org/10.1899/07-112.1
Received: 31 August 2007; Accepted: 1 February 2008; Published: 1 June 2008
JOURNAL ARTICLE
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KEYWORDS
C:N
C:P
carbon
consumer-driven nutrient recycling
N:P
nitrogen
phosphorus
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