THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SUSPENSION-FEEDING BY BIVALVE MOLLUSKS - AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PLYMOUTH TROPHEE WORKSHOP

Suspension-feeding behaviour in bivalve molluscs is rich and varied, r esponsive in a variety of traits to changes in both the quantity and q uality of available food. Recent research on a number of species docum ents this complexity with respect to both pre-ingestive and post-inges tive processing of food particles. An hypothesis of feeding as ''autom atized'' with no capacity for compensation to changes in the food envi ronment, is not supported. In studies to understand the responsiveness of feeding behaviour to the environment, and its consequences for gro wth, an energy balance approach has proved useful. Similarly, formal s tatements of energy gains and losses are used to good effect in models of growth which may then be interfaced to ecological measures of carr ying capacity. This interface between physiology and ecology was the m ain focus of a workshop held in September 1996, which provided a forum for discussion between physiologists, ecologists and modellers. This introduction to the workshop sketches some of the recent developments in our understanding of suspension feeding, argues for an approach tha t recognises the diversity of behaviours that are evident, and suggest s some possibilities for future advances based on the application of n ovel technologies. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.