Depth segregation phenomenon in <i>Donax trunculus</i> (Bivalvia: Donacidae) populations of the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)

Miguel B. Gaspar; Luis M. Chícharo; Paulo Vasconcelos; Alexandra García; Ana R. Santos; Carlos C. Monteiro

doi:10.3989/scimar.2002.66n2111

Depth segregation phenomenon in Donax trunculus (Bivalvia: Donacidae) populations of the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)

Authors

Miguel B. Gaspar Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), Centro Regional de Investigação Pesqueira do Sul (CRIPSul)
Luis M. Chícharo Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (FCMA)
Paulo Vasconcelos Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), Centro Regional de Investigação Pesqueira do Sul (CRIPSul)
Alexandra García Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), Centro Regional de Investigação Pesqueira do Sul (CRIPSul)
Ana R. Santos Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (FCMA)
Carlos C. Monteiro Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), Centro Regional de Investigação Pesqueira do Sul (CRIPSul)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2002.66n2111

Keywords:

Bivalvia, Donacidae, Donax trunculus, wedge clam, depth segregation, relative growth, management measures, Portugal

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the existence of depth segregation between size classes of Donax trunculus populations that occur along the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). Five collecting areas were sampled in the Ria Formosa barrier islands, namely in the Culatra, Barreta and Armona Islands, between March and June 1998. The study was based on size frequency distribution analysis and shell biometric relationships. The size frequency distribution showed the predominance of smaller individuals (< 25 mm) in the renewal area (0.5-1.0 m depth) and the prevalence of larger individuals (? 25 mm) at greater depths (4.0-6.0 m depth). The biometric study revealed the existence of significant differences in the type of growth between size classes in relation to depth distribution and burrowing activity. On the basis of these results, some specific management measures were proposed for this important bivalve fishery, taking into account the distinct fishing strategies and operations (manual and boat-operated dredging) performed at different depths.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2002-06-30

How to Cite

Gaspar MB, Chícharo LM, Vasconcelos P, García A, Santos AR, Monteiro CC. Depth segregation phenomenon in Donax trunculus (Bivalvia: Donacidae) populations of the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). scimar [Internet]. 2002Jun.30 [cited 2023Jun.10];66(2):111-2. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/570

Download Citation

Issue

Vol. 66 No. 2 (2002)

Section

Articles

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the printed and online versions of this Journal are the property of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.

All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International” (CC BY 4.0) License. You may read here the basic information and the legal text of the license. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 License must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.

Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the published by the Editor, is not allowed.