Fauna simbionte de la almeja roñosa, Chione califomiensis en la ensenada de La Paz, Baja California Sur, México

Abstract

1200 specimens of Chione californiensis were sampled and symbiotic frequency data were taken by means of histological techniques. Various organisms were found: a commensal (Pinnotheres margarita) in the mantle cavity, two epibionts (Crepidula onix and Crucibulum lignarium), a parasite (Trematoda), and a shell driller (Polydora ligni). The former three apparently do not apparently cause harm to the clam. Their discovery frequency is lower than 1%. P. ligni was found on 34.2 per cent of the total sampled clams. They presumably weaken the shell and increase the mortality of the infested clams. Trematod induces a degenerative gonad and its discovery frequency was of 0.1%.