Assimilation of bacteria by the dwarf surf clam Mulinia lateralis (Bivalvia: Mactridae)

Abstract

After feeding and four consecutive 1 h chases in 0.2 μm filtered seawater, M. lateralis retained 93.34 ± 6.45 of incorporated 35S-methionine radioactivity. When 3H-thymidine was used, only 51.40 ± 16.54% was retained. For excreted 35S activity, 49.05 ± 13.30% was recovered in the particulate phase (>0.2 μm) and 50.94 ± 13.30% was dissolved. The corresponding values for excreted 3H were 11.43 ± 4.70% and 88.57 ± 4.70. -from Authors