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II. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
Regional Occurrence:
Amygdalum papyrium occurs in the North and South Americas from Maryland to Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico, and Venezuela (Mikkelsen and Bieler 2008).
IRL Distribution:
The Atlantic paper mussel is common in the Indian River Lagoon.
III. LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION BIOLOGY
Age, Size, Lifespan:
The Atlantic paper mussel is short lived, living less than one year, and reaches sexual maturity within a few months (Walker et al. 2003). Amygdalum papyrium grows rapidly to a shell length of less than 32 mm. The largest shell reported for this species from Skidaway Island, Georgia is 39. 5 mm. This specimen was collected in late March just before a large die-off. In the same population, there were more females than males.
Abundance:
The abundance of Atlantic paper mussel was reported to range from 25 m2 to
as high as 3325 m2 (Nassau River 1993), but can vary regionally. In the
Indian River Lagoon, Amygdalum papyrium densities were reported from
25 m2 to as high as 525 m2.
Reproduction:
The Atlantic paper mussel is a semelparous species reproducing only once
during its life time. This species is dioecious, having both males and
females. The spawning period in a population from Skidaway Island, Georgia
was reported to be between October and January with a few remaining ripe
individuals found in February (R.L. Walker et al. 2003).
Embryology:
The embryology of Amygdalum papyrium has not been well studied.
However, other members in this family, such as Lithophaga bisulcata,
Mytilus edulis, and Perna perna, have been well studied. The
larvae of mytilid mussels appear to quickly develop into veligers followed
by pediveligers (competent larvae) within a few weeks (Siddall 1980, Scott
1988a and b). Metamorphosis of the pedivleiger occurs once an appropriate
area to settle is encountered (Siddall 1980, Scott 1988a). The larvae of
A. papyrium stay in the water column for several weeks and recruit
in the summer months (R.L. Walker et al. 2003).
IV. PHYSICAL TOLERANCES
Temperature:
Low seawater temperatures less than approximately 12°C appear to trigger the mass mortality of
Amygdalum papyrium (Walker et al. 2003).
Salinity:
Amygdalum papyrium exhibit a high salinity tolerance, being able to live in seawaters with salinities of 45 ppt to less than 10 ppt (Walker et al. 2003).
V. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Trophic Mode:
Amygdalum papyrium is a filter-feeder.
Associated Species:
Groups commonly associated with the Atlantic paper mussel beds are porifera (sponges), cnidarians (hydroids, corals and anemones), annelids (worms), crustaceans, other bivalves, bryozoans, and echinoderms (sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers).
VII.
REFERENCES
American Museum of Natural History, Bivalves - Research, Training, and
Electronic Dissemination of Data. Available online.
ITIS. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Available online.
Mikkelsen PM and R Bieler. 2008. Seashells of Southern Florida. Princeton
University Press, Princeton, NJ. pg. 88-89.
NOAA National Benthic Inventory. Available online.
Scott PJB. 1988a. Initial settlement behavior and survivorship of
Lithophaga bisculata (d'Orbigny) (Mytilidae:Lithophaginae). Journal
of Molluscan Studies 54:97-108.
Scott PJB. 1988b. Distribution, habitat and morphaology of the Caribbean
coral- and rock-boring bivalve, Lithophaga bisculata (d'Orbigny)
(Mytilidae:Lithophaginae). Journal of Molluscan Studies 54:83-95.
Siddall SE. 1980. A classification of the genus Perna (Mytlidae).
Bulletin of Marine Science 30:858-870.
Walker RLT, Power RA and M Sweeney-Reeves. 2003. Observations on growth
and gametogenesis of the Atlantic paper mussel, Amygdalum papyrium
(Conrad 1846), from coastal Georgia. The Veliger 46:86-89.
Zip Code Zoo. Available online.
Report by:
Melany P. Puglisi, Smithsonian Marine Station
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Page last updated: October 1, 2008 |
