Naslov
Age, growth and population structure of Acanthocardia tuberculata (Bivalvia: Cardiidae) in the eastern Adriatic Sea

Autori
Peharda, Melita ; Ezgeta-Balić, Daria ; Radman, Margita ; Sinjkević, Nela ; Vrgoč, Nedo ; Isajlović, Igor

Izvornik
Scientia marina (0214-8358) 76 (2012), 1; 59-66

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Cardiidae; Mediterranean; age; growth; population structure; longevity; condition index

Sažetak
Age, growth and population structure of Acanthocardia tuberculata from the eastern Adriatic Sea were studied. Condition index analysis identified one reproductive peak, occurring between April and May, for a population of A. tuberculata in the Cetina River Estuary with uni-modal recruitment. Annual growth rings on the external shell surface consisted of a dark ring deposited during the summer-fall period and a light ring deposited during winter-spring. This was validated by acetate peels of shell sections and marginal increment analysis. Shell lengths of aged specimens ranged from 19.7 to 62.9 mm (mean = 41.21±8.96 mm). Estimated ages ranged from 5 months to 11 years, with mean values of 2.1, 2.4 and 3.1 years for Rab Island, Pag Bay and the Cetina River Estuary, respectively. Shell deposition is fastest during the first two years of life and significantly decreases after the 4th year. The growth parameters L∞ and k were estimated using Gulland-Holt method and by fitting length at age data to von Bertalanffy growth curve. Values of L∞ ranged from 52.6 mm (Rab Island) to 59.7 mm (Pag Bay). The growth constant k showed greater variations (0.49 to 0.77 year-1), while growth performance index values (ø') ranged from 3.13 to 3.36.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

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