Marine Mussels Ecology, Physiology, Genetics and Culture

The proposed volume will not just focus on marine mussels in the genus Mytilus but will incorporate research on other commercially important marine genera such as Perna, Aulacomya and Choromytilus as well as non-commercial genera such as Modiolus, Geukensia, Brachidontes and hydrothermal vent Bathymodiolus species. The book will therefore have a broader scope and content than the author’s previous book The Mussel Mytilus.

The topics covered in individual chapters will include phylogeny & evolution; morphology; ecology; feeding; reproduction, settlement & recruitment; growth; circulation, respiration, excretion & osmoregulation; mussels as monitors of marine contaminants; genetics; culture; disease, parasites & public health.

Elizabeth Gosling, PhD, DSc, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland, is an author of international repute with a huge wealth of research, teaching and hands-on experience of working with bivalves, specifically marine mussels.

Preface  

Acknowledgements  

1 Phylogeny and evolution of marine mussels  

Introduction  

Phylogeny of the phylum Mollusca  

Phylogeny and evolution of Bivalvia  

Evolution and adaptive radiation in Bivalvia  

Phylogeny and evolution in the Mytilida 

Significant evolutionary developments in the family Mytilidae 

Notes  

References  

2 Functional Morphology  

Introduction  

Shell  

Mantle  

Gills  

Foot  

Labial palps  

The Alimentary Canal 

Gonads  

Heart and haemolymph vessels  

Excretory organs  

Nerves and sensory receptors  

References  

3 Ecology of marine mussels 

Introduction  

Global and local distribution patterns  

Factors affecting geographic distribution  

Factors affecting local distribution  

Climate change and potential and observed impacts on marine mussels 

Notes  

References  

4 Particle processing and nutrient utilisation 

Introduction  

Filtration and clearance rates 

Particle processing on the gills, labial palps and in the stomach  

The alimentary canal and digestive process  

Absorption efficiency  

Impacts of mussels on marine ecosystems 

Notes  

References 

5 Reproduction, larval development, dispersal and recruitment 

Introduction  

Sex identification 

Doubly uniparental Inheritance (DUI) and sex determination 

Gametogenesis  

Reproductive cycles  

Factors controlling reproduction  

Reproductive effort and fecundity  

Fertilisation and gamete compatibility  

Larval development  

Factors affecting larval growth  

Larval dispersal and population connectivity  

Larval identification and abundance  

Settlement, metamorphosis and post‐larval dispersal  

Recruitment 

Notes 

References  

6 Growth  

Introduction  

Methods of measuring absolute growth  

Measurement of allometric growth  

Scope for growth and dynamic energy budget models  

Growth modulators 

Notes  

References  

7 Physiology of the circulatory, respiratory and excretory systems  

Cardiovascular system 

Respiration  

Excretion and osmoregulation  

Note  

References 

8 Mussels and marine environmental contaminants 

Introduction 

Contaminants in the marine environment 

Contaminant levels in seawater, sediments and biota  

Absorption and absorption efficiency (AE) 

Assimilation and assimilation efficiency (AE)  

Kinetic modeling in contaminant bioaccumulation 

Mussel Monitoring Programmes 

Biological markers of pollution  

Notes 

References 

9 Population genetics, genomics and selective breeding.  

Introduction 

Population genetics  

Quantitative genetics  

Notes 

References 

10 Mussel culture  

Introduction 

Wild seed collection  

Hatchery culture of seed and juvenile mussels 

Mussel culture  

Mussel culture and the environment  

An ecosystem approach to bivalve culture  

Notes  

References  

11. Diseases, parasites and the immune response 

Introduction  

Viruses  

Bacteria  

Fungi  

Protistans  

Porifera  

Platyhelminths  

Annelids  

Crustaceans  

Neoplasia  

Defence mechanisms  

Signal transduction pathways 

Abiotic effects on mussel immune response 

Notes 

References  

12 Mussels and public health  

Introduction  

Bacterial infections  

Viral infections  

Parasites 

Biotoxins  

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) 

Detection of marine toxins  

Industrial pollutants  

Controls on the production and processing of mussels and other bivalves  

Monitoring and quality control  

HAACP and its application  

Notes  

References  

Subject index  (may be done by vendor and cost offset against royalties, TBC at the time)

Species index (supplied bu Au)