Predicting wave dislodgment of mussels: variation in attachment strength with body size, habitat, and season
Date
2001
Authors
Hunt, HL
Scheibling, Robert Eric
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Abstract
Breaking waves impose large hydrodynamic forces which may dislodge mussels and other organisms
living on exposed rocky shores. We examined the effect of variation in attachment strength with
size, habitat and season on the predicted probability of wave dislodgment of mussels Mytilus
trossulus and M. edulis on an exposed shore on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Mussels on
this shore are exposed to maximum significant wave heights of at least 7 to 9 m each winter and to
maximal water velocities of at least 12 m s(-1). We used Denny's (1995) mechanistic approach
to predict probabilities of dislodgment from measures of attachment strength of mussels. Predicted
probabilities of dislodgment indicated that mussels of 10 to 25 mm shell length are vulnerable to
dislodgment by water velocities of >7 m s(-1). As a result of variation in dislodgment
forces, probabilities of dislodgment did not differ consistently between tidepools and emergent
rock, or with mussel size. Attachment strength increased from July to February as mussels were
exposed to stronger wave action, reducing the probability of dislodgment by a given water velocity.
This study indicates that knowledge of patterns of change in attachment strength are necessary for
prediction of probabilities of dislodgment of mussels.
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Citation
Hunt, HL, and RE Scheibling. 2001. "Predicting wave dislodgment of mussels: variation in attachment strength with body size,
habitat, and season." Marine Ecology Progress Series 213: 157-164. doi:10.3354/meps213157