CHARACTERISTICS OF FECAL PELLET MORPHOLOGY AND THE PELLET PRODUCER'S BODY RELATING TO THE PELLET SINKING RATE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN MUSSEL, MYTILUS GALLOPROVINCIALIS

Abstract

 Invasive alien mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis aggregate on port structures and facilitate eutrophication in benthic environments by producing substantial amounts of fecal pellets. However, little attention has been paid to morphological characteristics of rapidly sinking fecal pellets contributing to local eutrophication and the body characteristics of the pellet producer. This study aims to clarify the morphological characteristics of the fecal pellet and the body characteristics of the mussel in relation to the pellet sinking rate. Sinking rates of fecal pellets were 850–7,360 times as fast as that of detritus. A pellet of greater width produced by a heavier mussel tended to sink more quickly.