Seasonal growth in the bivalve Macoma balthica near the southern limit of its range
Shell-length growth in Macoma balthica from San Francisco Bay, California, as measured on living animals in situ, is highly seasonal despite a mild Mediterranean climate: a long period of near non-growth from May to the following February is followed by a short period of rapid growth between March and May. The rapid-growth period follows the spawning period during January/February and ends as water temperature rises above about 15??C. Despite the shortness of the growth period, M. balthica grows larger at a given age in San Francisco Bay than is recorded elsewhere in the world. Application of a model, developed elsewhere from these same field measurements, shows that (1) measurable growth occurs during the summer/autumn/early winter "nongrowth" period, (2) there is an autumn recruitment, and (3) both spring and autumn recruits combine to form a single "one-year-old" size grouping. None of these features is detectable through growth-ring analysis of field samples, apparently because of indistinct climatic seasons, or through size-frequency histogram analysis because of the combined effects of slow growth and intermittent recruitment. ?? 1982 Estuarine Research Federation.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1982 |
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Title | Seasonal growth in the bivalve Macoma balthica near the southern limit of its range |
DOI | 10.2307/1352108 |
Authors | F.H. Nichols, J.K. Thompson |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Estuaries |
Index ID | 70011811 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | San Francisco Bay-Delta; Pacific Regional Director's Office |