Posture of Iridina spekei (Bivalvia: Mutelidae) on the Flat Sandy Bottom of Lake Tanganyika

Abstract

Length, height and angle of the exposed part of mussel, Iridina spekei, above the bottom were examined on the sandy flat of Lake Tanganyika. The larger mussel protruded higher above the bottom, which seemed to be advantageous to scatter sperm or larvae father in order to increase chances of the fertilization or parasitism of larvae on fish. Immature mussels seemed to lie hidden to avoid predation by fish.