Aspects of Reproduction, Settling and Growth in the Mussel Mytilus Edulis Planulatus Lamarck

Summary

Mussels taken from Sydney Harbour between June 3 and August 18, 1900, spawned readily in the laboratory. Year-old females of shell length 40–59 mm, discharged an average of 1.85 million eggs. During early development the first micromere divided into two before the third micromere separated from the macromere. Records indicate the settling season in Sydney Harbour ranges from June to December with peaks about October and November. The mean length of year-old mussels taken from a raft in Sydney Harbour was substantially higher than that recorded for Mytilus edulis edulis Linné of comparable age.