Dynamic Models of Growth and Reproduction of the Mussel Mytilus edulis L.
- 1 January 1990
- journal article
- research article
- Published by JSTOR in Functional Ecology
- Vol. 4 (6) , 777-787
- https://doi.org/10.2307/2389444
Abstract
We present two models of growth and reproduction in the mussel Mytilus edulis L. One is a modified version of an existing model developed by Kooijman for general application to ectotherms, the other is a new model specifically formulated for mussels. The models have identical assumptions on energy assimilation and spawning but differ in their a priori assumptions concerning energy partitioning between growth, maintenance and reproduction. Data from the field populations were used: one to estimate model parameters; the others for model testing. Both models were successful in predicting growth and reproduction in the test populations, suggesting that differences between populations can largely be explained by differences in food and seston dynamics. The model yield two contrasting strategies for storing and utilizing assimilate, and with further assumptions yield hypotheses on mortality in fast and slow growing populations.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: