Abstract
A monthly sampling programme was conducted to investigate aspects of the biology of a population of Mercenaria mercenaria (L.) Smooth growth curves were constructed for each year class, and the factors affecting growth rate were considered. Seasonal cycles in flesh weight and calorific content appear to be related to gonal proliferation and subsequent spawning. Recruitment is sporadic and probably depends on the spawning of upstream populations, where conditions are more favourable for larval development. Survivorship curves were constructed for each year class; predation by crabs and gulls appears to account for a large proportion of the observed mortality.
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Communicated by J.H.S. Blaxter, Oban
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Hibbert, C.J. Growth and survivorship in a tidal-flat population of the bivalve Mercenaria mercenaria from Southampton water. Mar. Biol. 44, 71–76 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386907
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386907