Behavioral responses of a marine bivalve (Venus verrucosa) to pollution by petroleum hydrocarbons

The effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) on the burrowing behavior, valve activities and siphonal and foot reactions of the clam, Venus verrucosa were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. Such exposure did not significantly alter the burrowing activities of this species. The foot, siphons and mantle folds failed to respond both to low and high concentrations of PHC. After 130 days of exposure to 100 μg L^?1 of water-accommodated fractions of oil, both the response time and the recovery period of the siphonal response to light stimuli were significantly prolonged. Increased valve activities were also recorded. The biological significance of such altered behavior and activities is discussed.