Mussels are remarkable...
California mussel (Mytilus californianus) |
Commensalism ... in which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species neither benefit nor are harmedMutualism... in which both organisms benefit from each other;Amensalism... where one is harmed while the other is unaffectedParasitism... where one is harmed and the other benefits, usually in order to obtain nutrients
Phoresy ... in which a phoretic animal latches onto a host animal for the purpose of dispersal.
“These larvae [glochidia] attach to the gills or fins of the fish, encyst and derive nutrients from fish blood and tissues, complete metamorphosis and excyst, then drop off to begin their sessile, filter-feeding life stage” Later on it says that “Freshwater mussel larvae attach to fish and feed on tissues and blood..."
"Freshwater mussel larval parasitism of fish is unique among bivalves. The relationship is primarily phoretic rather than nutritive; only the smallest glochidia and the haustorial [a parasite that penetrates the tissues of the host] larva grow substantially while on the host. Growth of the smallest larvae suggests a lower functional size limit of ~150 μm for the juveniles... "
"Although the relationship between glochidium larvae of freshwater mussels Unionoida and their obligatory fish hosts has been frequently described as phoretic commensalism (glochidia benefit from transportation services by fish, with no harm to fish) or even symbiotic (both partners benefit), increasing evidence has indicated that the relationship is parasitic. Stable isotope analysis, during the glochidial attachment to the fish host, indicates the acquirement of nutrients from the fish."
“No specific glochidia structures have been observed to extract nutrients from the host, but stable isotope analysis does show such transfer. It is hypothesized that this transfer results from the glochidia digesting the host tissue captured within the initial bite. Denzymes used in the process of breaking down the captured tissue may seep out of the glochidia and digest some surrounding host tissue. Passive absorption of compounds from the intercellular space and blood plasma has also been proposed.”
“While freshwater mussel larvae do attach to fish, they don't feed on tissues and blood… The glochidia is NOT parasitic and doesn't harm the fish.Here's a breakdown of the interesting relationship between freshwater mussels and fish:Parasitic dependence: Mussels rely on fish as hosts for their glochidia to survive and develop.Temporary attachment: Glochidia latch onto the fish's gills, fins, or other external body parts for a few weeks. This attachment is relatively harmless to the fish.Nutritional source: During this period, the glochidia obtain nutrients not directly from the fish but rather from the surrounding water.This unique adaptation is crucial for freshwater mussels as it ensures the dispersal of their offspring. After several weeks, the glochidia transform into juvenile mussels and detach from the fish, settling at the bottom of the waterway to mature into adults.”
“Freshwater mussel larvae, known as glochidia, do attach to fish, but their method of feeding and interaction with their host fish is a bit more nuanced than simply feeding on tissues and blood. When glochidia are released into the water by the adult female mussel, they must attach to the gills, fins, or body of a suitable host fish to complete their development. This parasitic stage is crucial for the lifecycle of freshwater mussels.During this stage, the glochidia encyst on the host fish's surfaces and undergo transformation into juvenile mussels. While encysted, they may derive nutrition from the fish, but rather than actively feeding on the fish's tissues and blood, they are thought to absorb nutrients directly through their tissues, benefiting from the fish's circulatory system indirectly. The interaction is generally not harmful to the fish, and most fish hosts recover without significant harm once the larvae detach and complete their metamorphosis into juvenile mussels.”
SearchResearch Lessons
4. Caution when asking LLMs... they might really get it wrong, or at least not-nuanced.