engleski

Sclerochronological study of bivalve Glycymeris bimaculata (Poli, 1795)

During a last decade interest in the field of schlerochronology intensified with the goal of identifying environmental changes from patterns observed in hard structures of various organisms including marine bivalves. Long lived species, such as members of genus Glycymeris, are potential model organisms for reconstruction of climate changes. In this study we investigated longevity and potential of Glycymeris bimaculata for schlerochronological analysis. Specimens were collected by SCUBA in February 2012 from Pag Bay and transported to the lab. Umbo region of each specimen was embedded in epoxy resin, cut along axis of maximal growth ; ground, polished and acetate peel replicas of shell sections were prepared. Age of the specimens included in the analysis exceeded 20 years, whereas maximal age determined was 24 years. Prepared slides were photographed, and distance between each growth line was measured. Each growth series were compared using SHELLCORR and chronologies were constructed with the dendrochronology software package ARSTAN using the cross-dated series of increment widths. Obtained data were related to environmental parameters including sea water temperature, air temperature and precipitation. Further more, results were compared to those obtained for G. bimaculata and Callista chione collected by hydraulic dredge in 2008.

Mediterranean; marine; Bivalvia; ecology; climate

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