Attachment of the juvenile queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis (L.)) to maerl in mesocosm conditions; juvenile habitat selection

Substratum un-acclimated juvenile queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) (<18 mm and 18-30 mm shell height) were released in equal numbers onto pristine live maerl (PLM), impacted dead maerl (IDM), gravel and sand in choice chambers. Their habitat selection was monitored over a 4-day period in control and predator treatments (utilising Asterias rubens L. and Carcinus maenas (L.)). Microhabitat use of PLM by juvenile queen scallops and the presence of cues in live maerl were also investigated.In control and predator treatments juvenile queen scallops were observed to attach preferentially to PLM than IDM, gravel or sand. Juvenile queen scallops were observed to maintain a more exposed attachment site in the absence of predators but sought refuge within and between maerl nodules in the presence of both predators. Smaller queen scallops (<18 mm shell height) were more efficient at utilising maerl thalli as a refuge. Juvenile A. opercularis showed hierarchical cue responses mediated by predator presence, i.e. responding favourably to a factor associated with live maerl presence irrespective of heterogeneity in the absence of predators but favourably to higher maerl heterogeneity in their presence. If they also preferentially attach to PLM in the field, at some sites where PLM grounds cover large areas, they may thus be considered to constitute ‘nursery areas’. Habitat attachment preference appears to be predetermined and not a result of localised predator avoidance; however, habitat usage changes in the presence of predators. Maerl beds have been shown to be easily damaged by scallop dredging in Scotland and if such nursery areas are being destroyed extensively in the field, this could damage recruitment to localised adult populations.