Burrowing Criteria and Burrowing Mode Adjustment in Bivalves to Varying Geoenvironmental Conditions in Intertidal Flats and Beaches
2011

Burrowing Behavior of Bivalves in Different Sediment Conditions

Sample size: 1083 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Sassa Shinji, Watabe Yoichi, Yang Soonbo, Kuwae Tomohiro

Primary Institution: Port and Airport Research Institute, Yokosuka, Japan

Hypothesis

How do varying geoenvironmental conditions affect the burrowing behavior of bivalves?

Conclusion

Bivalves adjust their burrowing modes in response to sediment hardness, with significant differences observed between species.

Supporting Evidence

  • Bivalves shifted their burrowing modes in response to sediment hardness.
  • Sediment hardness varied significantly across different intertidal sites.
  • Burrowing capabilities decreased with increasing shell length in bivalves.

Takeaway

Bivalves change how they dig in the sand depending on how hard the sand is, which helps them survive better.

Methodology

Laboratory experiments simulating geoenvironmental conditions and field surveys at intertidal sites.

Limitations

The study may not account for all environmental variables affecting bivalve behavior in natural settings.

Participant Demographics

Two species of bivalves: Ruditapes philippinarum and Donax semigranosus, with varying shell lengths.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025041

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication