BIVALVE FEEDING — HOW AND WHAT THEY EAT?

Abstract

Based on the mechanism of food collection, bivalves can be suspension–feeders or deposit–feeders, or even utilize both feeding methods. Although some authors describe bivalve feeding as “automatized” process, recent studies show that some bivalves species have ability to regulate filtration and select% particles based on their size, shape, nutritive value or chemical component on the surface of the particle. Several recent studies also showed that phytoplankton is not necessary primary food source for bivalves and pointed out the importance of other food sources such as bacteria, detritus and even zooplankton, including bivalve larvae. Ingestion of bivalve larvae indicates that adult bivalve grazing influence different life stages of these organisms and could have impact on bivalve stocks. Due to these process bivalves have great influence in energy and nutrient flux between benthic and pelagic communities, what makes them important part of marine food webs. This paper gives us the overview of current literature and understanding of bivalve feeding mechanisms, particle select%ion and food sources.

Keywords

• bivalves feeding
• bivalves diet
• particle selection
• bivalva aquaculture