[ report an error in this record ] basket (0): add | show Gill and palp morphology of Tellina tenuis and T. fabula in relation to feeding Wilson, J.G. (1990). Gill and palp morphology of Tellina tenuis and T. fabula in relation to feeding, in: Morton, B. (Ed.) The Bivalvia: Proceedings of a Memorial Symposium in honour of Sir Charles Maurice Yonge (1899-1986) at the 9th International Malacological Congress, 1986, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. pp. 141-150 In: Morton, B. (Ed.) (1990). The Bivalvia: Proceedings of a Memorial Symposium in honour of Sir Charles Maurice Yonge (1899-1986) at the 9th International Malacological Congress, 1986, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Hong Kong University Press: Hong Kong. ISBN 962-209-273-X. 355 pp., more Available in  Author  VLIZ [ request ] Keyword Marine/Coastal Author    Top  Wilson, J.G. Abstract Internally as well as externally, there is little difference between Tellina tenuis and T. fabula. However there is a noticeable difference in the size of the gills and palps, and it has been suggested that this difference may lead to different feeding habits and hence to the species distribution. In Tellina fabula, the outer demibranch and inner demibranch are some 28% and 43% smaller respectively than those in a comparably-sized T. tenuis. As if to compensate for the smaller ctenidial size, the palps in T. fabula are almost twice the size of those in T. tenuis. It has therefore been suggested that the higher palp/gill ratio may be an adaptation to a deposit feeding existence. As regards feeding, Tellina fabula produces faeces of a higher organic content and in addition has a higher index of selectivity for the fine (<631µm) fraction. While it may therefore be more accurate to classify them as 'opportunist' rather than strictly 'suspension' or 'deposit' feeders, T. fabula is better fitted to a deposit feeding mode of life. All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy  Top | Author