Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Observations on size composition and breeding of Northumberland populations of Zirphaea crispata (Pholadidae: Bivalvia)

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Along the Northumberland coast, Zirphaea crispata (Linné) occurs in soft shales from approximately 1 ft (0.2 m) above datum to at least 20 fathoms (37 m). It also occurs sublittorally in dumped power station fly ash wastes. The populations are polymodal. Growth rate is estimated at approximately 8 mm a year with a life span of approximately 5 years in the case of those found intertidally and 6 to 7 years in the case of the sublittoral populations. Although breeding occurs from March to October, there is evidence that there are two main breeding peaks, one from March to May and the other from August to October. Differences in shell shape between different populations can probably be explained by the differences in effort required to drill into the substratum.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Bouchard-Chanteraux: Observations sur divers Mollusques marine du Boulonnais. J. Conch., Paris 27, 122–125 (1879).

    Google Scholar 

  • Casste, R. M.: The analysis of polymodal frequency distributions by the probability paper method. N. Z. Sci. Rev. 8, 89–91 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R.: Occurrence of the entocommensal, rhynchocoelan, Malacobdella grossa, in the oval piddock, Zirphaea crispata, on the Yorkshire coast. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 47, 301–317 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Studies on the biology of the entocommensal rhynchocoelan Malacobdella grossa. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 48, 637–656 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, B. B.: Studies on the maturation, fertilization and cleavage of Thalassema and Zirphaea. J. Morph. 15, 583–634 (1899).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey, B.: On the boring mollusca of St. Andrews. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. 9, 369–374 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair, N. B. and A. D. Ansell: The mechanism of boring in Zirphaea crispata (L), (Bivalvia: Pholadidae). Proc. R. Soc. (Ser. B) 170, 155–173 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorson, G.: Reproduction and larval development of Danish marine bottom invertebrates, with special reference to the planktonic larvae in the Sound (Øresund). Meddr Kommn Danm. Fisk.-og Havanders. (Ser. Plankton) 4, 1–523 (1946).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranter, D. J.: Reproduction in Australian pearl oysters (Lamellibranch a) 2. Pinctada albina (Lamark): gametogenesis. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 9, 144–158 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, R. D.: The family Pholadidae in the Western Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific Pt 1, Pholadinae. Johnsonia 3, 1–64 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. J. A. Allen

    Present address: Dove Marine Laboratory, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Cullercoats, Northumberland, England

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. J. A. Allen
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Additional information

    Communicated by J. E. Smith, Plymouth

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Allen, J.A. Observations on size composition and breeding of Northumberland populations of Zirphaea crispata (Pholadidae: Bivalvia). Marine Biology 3, 269–275 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00360959

    Download citation

    • Accepted:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00360959

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation