FOOD ABUNDANCE MODULATES JUVENILE MUSSEL (UNIONIDAE) GROWTH RESPONSES TO THE ASIAN CLAM (CORBICULA FLUMINEA)

Interactions between the Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) and freshwater mussels (Unionidae) have been documented, but the effect of food abundance on these interactions is not well understood. I examined the role of food abundance in modulating the growth and survival responses of juvenile Cumberland Bean (Venustaconcha troostensis) to Corbicula. I ran a series of controlled experiments in which I tested the effect of Corbicula on growth and survival of juvenile freshwater mussels in multiple environmentally relevant conditions of food abundance. Corbicula had no effect on juvenile mussel survival, regardless of food abundance. However, juvenile mussel growth was significantly related to the interaction between Corbicula biomass and food abundance in which the effect of Corbicula was dependent on food abundance. Corbicula had no effect on juvenile mussel growth at high food abundance but had a significant and positive effect on juvenile mussel growth at low food abundance.