Calcium sources for growth of Musculium securis (Bivalvia: Pisidiidae)

Abstract

In order to determine the primary source of calcium for a pisidiid, Musculium securis was grown in the laboratory in dishes with autoclaved or unautoclaved leaves and sediment and with or without algae. Results show that although both leaves and sediment provide calcium, the calcium from leaves is more readily available than calcium from sediment. It is suggested that molluscs which exhibit correlations between calcium contents of the shell and environment utilize calcium from the bedrock, whereas molluscs (e.g., M. securis) which exhibit no such correlations utilize calcium from other sources such as allochthonous material (e.g., leaf litter).