HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Medler, S. Articles by Silverman, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Medler, S. Articles by Silverman, H. Related Collections Molluscs Physiology

Muscular Alteration of Gill Geometry in vitro: Implications for Bivalve Pumping Processes

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Current address: Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523. E-mail: Skmedler{at}aol.com

In bivalves, water-pumping potential is determined both by ciliary activity and by the geometry of the system of passageways that acts as a conduit for water flow. Smooth muscles intrinsic to the gills of eulamellibranch bivalves possess the anatomical organization needed to regulate the dimensions of these water passageways. The tone of these muscles can be controlled experimentally using excitatory neurotransmitters to elicit muscle contraction and by removing Ca⁺⁺ from the Ringer’s solution to induce muscular relaxation. These experimental methods were used to investigate the effects of smooth muscle tone on the gill dimensions of two freshwater bivalves, Dreissena polymorpha and Corbicula fluminea, and one marine bivalve, Mercenaria mercenaria. In addition, endoscopic observations were made from the suprabranchial chamber of a freshwater unionid, Lampsilis anodontoides. Contraction of gill muscles led to a significant reduction in interfilament width, internal ostial area, and the cross-sectional area of the water tubes. Endoscopic observation from minimally disturbed L. anodontoides revealed rapid constriction of the water tubes upon contraction of the muscles of the gill and gill axis. Taken together, these data support the idea that alteration of smooth muscle tone in the gill provides a mechanism for controlling water-pumping activities.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. F. Gainey Jr Seasonal control of particle clearance by isolated gills from the clam Mercenaria mercenaria J. Exp. Biol., July 15, 2007; 210(14): 2518 - 2525. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. F. Gainey Jr., J. C. Walton, and M. J. Greenberg Branchial Musculature of a Venerid Clam: Pharmacology, Distribution, and Innervation Biol. Bull., February 1, 2003; 204(1): 81 - 95. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]