Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean
Ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) are the longest-lived, non-colonial animals known today, with a maximum life span exceeding 500 years. Limited information is available regarding recruitment, making the sustainable management of this valuable fishery a challenge. The objective of this research was...
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ftsouthmissispun:oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1328 2024-09-15T17:54:28+00:00 Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean Pace, Sara M 2017-08-01T07:00:00Z application/pdf https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/313 https://aquila.usm.edu/context/masters_theses/article/1328/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf unknown The Aquila Digital Community https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/313 https://aquila.usm.edu/context/masters_theses/article/1328/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf Master's Theses Ocean quahog recruitment age-frequency distribution age-length key growth Little Ice Age Marine Biology Population Biology text 2017 ftsouthmissispun 2024-08-22T03:56:51Z Ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) are the longest-lived, non-colonial animals known today, with a maximum life span exceeding 500 years. Limited information is available regarding recruitment, making the sustainable management of this valuable fishery a challenge. The objective of this research was to describe the age structure and growth rates for four populations of ocean quahogs from the mid-Atlantic stock to evaluate long-term recruitment trends. Clams were sectioned for age estimation to develop population age frequencies. Initial colonization began approximately 175-250 years ago depending upon site. All sites experienced an increase in recruitment beginning in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, after which the populations reached and remained at carrying capacity, characterized by more or less continuous low-level recruitment. Growth rates for select individuals from the Georges Bank site were evaluated using three growth models. The ALOG model was more suitable because it allows for early, rapid growth and for persistent indeterminate growth into old age. Growth rates for clams from all sites were analyzed to investigate both geographical and temporal differences. A substantive increase in the age at which animals reach 60, 80, and 90 mm has occurred, as well as an increase in average growth rates to 60, 80, 90, and post-90 mm, at the two sites in the southern portion of the stock since initial colonization, likely in response to increasing bottom water temperatures since the end of the Little Ice Age. These results have important implications for fishery management and will be used to inform management decisions. Text Arctica islandica Ocean quahog The University of Southern Mississippi: The Aquila Digital Community |
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The University of Southern Mississippi: The Aquila Digital Community |
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Ocean quahog recruitment age-frequency distribution age-length key growth Little Ice Age Marine Biology Population Biology |
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Ocean quahog recruitment age-frequency distribution age-length key growth Little Ice Age Marine Biology Population Biology Pace, Sara M Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean |
topic_facet |
Ocean quahog recruitment age-frequency distribution age-length key growth Little Ice Age Marine Biology Population Biology |
description |
Ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) are the longest-lived, non-colonial animals known today, with a maximum life span exceeding 500 years. Limited information is available regarding recruitment, making the sustainable management of this valuable fishery a challenge. The objective of this research was to describe the age structure and growth rates for four populations of ocean quahogs from the mid-Atlantic stock to evaluate long-term recruitment trends. Clams were sectioned for age estimation to develop population age frequencies. Initial colonization began approximately 175-250 years ago depending upon site. All sites experienced an increase in recruitment beginning in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, after which the populations reached and remained at carrying capacity, characterized by more or less continuous low-level recruitment. Growth rates for select individuals from the Georges Bank site were evaluated using three growth models. The ALOG model was more suitable because it allows for early, rapid growth and for persistent indeterminate growth into old age. Growth rates for clams from all sites were analyzed to investigate both geographical and temporal differences. A substantive increase in the age at which animals reach 60, 80, and 90 mm has occurred, as well as an increase in average growth rates to 60, 80, 90, and post-90 mm, at the two sites in the southern portion of the stock since initial colonization, likely in response to increasing bottom water temperatures since the end of the Little Ice Age. These results have important implications for fishery management and will be used to inform management decisions. |
format |
Text |
author |
Pace, Sara M |
author_facet |
Pace, Sara M |
author_sort |
Pace, Sara M |
title |
Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean |
title_short |
Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean |
title_full |
Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean |
title_fullStr |
Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean |
title_full_unstemmed |
Evidence of Multidecadal Recruitment in the Ocean Quahog, Arctica islandica in the Western Atlantic Ocean |
title_sort |
evidence of multidecadal recruitment in the ocean quahog, arctica islandica in the western atlantic ocean |
publisher |
The Aquila Digital Community |
publishDate |
2017 |
url |
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/313 https://aquila.usm.edu/context/masters_theses/article/1328/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf |
genre |
Arctica islandica Ocean quahog |
genre_facet |
Arctica islandica Ocean quahog |
op_source |
Master's Theses |
op_relation |
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/313 https://aquila.usm.edu/context/masters_theses/article/1328/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf |
_version_ |
1810430791509868544 |