Size distribution, growth and mortality of Anadara notabilis Bivalvia Arcidae in Mochima Bay, Sucre state, Venezuela Distribucion de tallas, crecimiento y mortalidad de Anadara notabilis Bivalvia Arcidae en la Bahia de Mochima, Estado Sucre, Venezuela
Jiminez, M.; Prieto, A.; Ruiz, L.; Marin, B.; Allen, T.
Boletin del Instituto Oceanografico de Venezuela Universidad de Oriente 43(1-2): 41-47
2004
Document Number: 347526
The growth, size distribution, and mortality of a natural population of Anadara notabilis was undertaken in Ensenada Reyes of Bahia de Mochima, in Venezuela. Monthly sample collections were carried out on coastal transects from December 1992 until February 1994. The structure of the population had a polymodal size distribution comprised of a dominant group of bivalves ranging between 30 and 40 mm long and a scant number of juveniles. Biomass and densities were maximal in July 1993 (35.30 ind./m'), November 1993 (28.53 ind./m2), and February 1994 (32.30 ind./m2); and minimal in January 1993 (8.01 ind./m2). The seasonal growth parameters of the population, as estimated by the FiSAT program based on length frequency analysis, were: L - 61.87 mm, K = 0.75 year-1, and t0 = 0.079, meaning that the species reached a length of 34 mm one year after settlement, with a longevity of four years and a maximum growth period between January and June 1993. The instantaneous mortality rate estimated for bivalves longer than 38 mm was Z - 2.16 year-1. These results indicate that A. notabilis bears aquaculture potential because of its growth characteristics and abundance.