Ecology, growth and production ofThyasira flexuosa(Bivalvia, Lucinacea) from Ría de la Coruña, North-West Spain

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Abstract
The population dynamics, growth and production of Thyasira flexuosa have been studied over a three year period in Ría de La Coruña, North-west Spain. During recolonization of the sediment after harbour dredging operations, T. flexuosa was the macro-infaunal dominant and three successive cohorts could be followed over time. Densities were very high (up to 22000 ind. · m-2) during most of the study period. This species seems to be associated with high values or organic matter in the sediment and it is tolerant of hydrocarbon pollution. Newly settled individuals appeared in the samples from January to late spring, with a marked peak in April-May. The intensity of recruitment did not vary much from one year to another. The mean size of individuals of Thyasira flexuosa was 3.2 and 4.8 mm at the end of the first and second year of life, respectively, although individual growth rates showed large variations. The mean production was 4.7 g AFDW · m-2 · yr-1, with a mean P/B ratio of 1.39. Variations in growth and production from year to year were mainly due to intraspecific competition related to the high densities. Values of growth and production are compared with other bivalve species and general data on ecology are provided.

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