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The clam sipho as indicator for growth indices in the soft-shell clam Mya arenaria
Schäffer, F.; Zettler, M.L. (2007). The clam sipho as indicator for growth indices in the soft-shell clam Mya arenaria. Helgol. Mar. Res. 61(1): 9-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10152-006-0049-0
In: Helgoland Marine Research. Springer: Berlin; Heidelberg. ISSN 1438-387X; e-ISSN 1438-3888, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Audiovisual materials > Graphics > Graphs > Growth curves
    Growth rate
    Indicator organisms
    Mya arenaria Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    M arenaria; growth-indices; sipho-width; Bertalanffy growth model;Gompertz growth model

Authors  Top 
  • Schäffer, F.
  • Zettler, M.L., more

Abstract
    Due to the species' deep burrowing behaviour, growth parameters of the soft-shell clam Mya arenaria L. 1758 are difficult to estimate, especially in deeper habitats which are not directly accessible. In this study, we analysed 192 specimens of M. arenaria and found, contrary to results of most other studies that the sigmoid Gompertz growth model (GGM) is appropriate to describe the growth. Predictions from this model confirm the finding of a life span up to 8 years and as a consequence of this, a maximum shell-length of 60 mm. Individual growth rates calculated from the first deviation indicate a nearly exponential growth in young individuals. The relationship between the clam sipho-width and age, shell-length and biomass conform to the GGM. This is a new approach to assess growth of M. arenaria and to solve practical problems that arise in field studies.

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