Does photosynthesis provoke formation of shell deformity in wild mytilid mussels infested with green microalgae Coccomyxa? – A conceptual model and research agenda

This report proposes a conceptual model for the formation of L-shaped shell deformity in wild mytilid mussels Mytilus spp. highly infested by unicellular photosynthetic microalgae Coccomyxa sp. where a key role plays the influence of the alga's photosynthesis on the parameters of carbonate system at the site of calcification. A number of research questions are posed, to be investigated through a combination of experimental methods.