Ctenidial autotomy in Corbicula fluminea in response to massive granulomas

Large granulomas (greater than 2 millimeters in diameter), stimulated by the presence of and formed around necrotic larval tissue in the inner demibranchs of Corbicula fluminea, are eliminated by autotomy. Granulocytes invade and destroy ctenidial epithelium adjacent to the granuloma, causing it and the granuloma to slough away into the mantle cavity, where they are removed as pseudofeces.