Population dynamics of the bivalve Laternula elliptica from Potter Cove, King George Island, South Shetland Islands
Body size, geographical distribution and biomass make Laternula elliptica one of the most important bivalve species of the Antarctic. A complete study on the population dynamics (reproduction cycle, growth, mortality and productivity) of this species from King George Island gave growth parameters fo...
| Published in: | Antarctic Science |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1998
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102098000200 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102098000200 |
| Summary: | Body size, geographical distribution and biomass make Laternula elliptica one of the most important bivalve species of the Antarctic. A complete study on the population dynamics (reproduction cycle, growth, mortality and productivity) of this species from King George Island gave growth parameters for the von-Bertalanffy-growth-function of: L ∞ = 112.2 mm, K = 0.160 yr 1 , t 0 = 0.000 yr. Total mortality was estimated as Z = 0.392 yr −1 . Somatic production and mean biomass of two distinct sub-populations were 8.7 and 67.3 g AFDW m −2 yr −1 at Beach & Glacier and 20.0 and 88.6 g AFDW m −2 yr −1 at Punta Elefante. The following P / B values were calculated; Beach & Glacier = 0.129, Punta Elefante = 0.226. It is suggested that these differences are linked to mortality caused by icebergs which is expected to be higher at the shallower Punta Elefante site. |
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