Fig. 5

Expected lift force acting on mussels within the size range used in this study (15–20 mm length) at selected flow velocities (3, 6, 9, and 12 m s⁻¹; shown as continuous lines). Points are mussel attachment strength data obtained in May 2015 from the site with the weakest (Copacabana, loess platform, white diamonds) and strongest mussel attachment (Punta Iglesia, natural orthoquartzite platform, gray diamonds). The comparison of mussel attachment strength data and expected lift forces allows establishing a potential range of critical flow velocities for mussel dislodgment across our study area (i.e., 3–12 m s⁻¹)