Living on the edge: population parameters of the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus in its southernmost limit of distribution range, Southwest Atlantic, Argentina

Author(s):  
M. Cielo Risoli ◽  
Omar Defeo ◽  
Betina J. Lomovasky

The wedge clam Donax hanleyanus (Philippi, 1845) is a conspicuous member of the sandy beach macrofauna along hundreds of km in the northern coasts of Argentina. Age, growth, mortality and productivity of this species were assessed in its southernmost limit of distribution range (Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were SL∞ = 23.23 mm, K = 1.62 year-1, and t0 = 0.08 years. The maximum individual production amounted 7.9 x 10-7 g shell-free wet mass (SFWM)·year-1 at a shell length of 14-16 mm. Individuals between 10- mm and 12- mm contributed the most to the secondary production P of 0.01 g SFWM·m-2·year-1. The mean annual biomass B was of 0.002 g SFWM·m-2·year-1. Annual P/B ratio and mortality coefficient Z were 4.48 year-1 and 4.78 year-1, respectively. Low production and high mortality could be caused by a sharp decrease in habitat quality, given by suboptimal temperatures at the southernmost edge of the species distribution. These results strongly limit its potential in a future scenario of commercial exploitation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Joseph Aggrey-Fynn ◽  
Divine Worlanyo Hotor

Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus, 1758) and Apsilus fuscus (Valenciennes, 1830) are commercially important fish species in Ghana. The stocks are exploited mainly by the artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries. Growth and mortality rates, and exploitation levels of the two stocks in inshore waters of Ghana were assessed as a contribution to fill the knowledge gap on the species. Samples were obtained from three landing sites along the coast of Ghana from February to July, 2017. Length-frequency data were used to estimate growth, mortality and exploitation ratios. The modal class for S. sphyraena was 37.0–39.9 cm total length (TL) and 34.0–35.9 cm TL for A. fuscus. The length and weight relationships established that growth in S. sphyraena was negative allometric, whereas that of A. fuscus was isometric. The estimated growth parameters from the length frequency data fitted with the von Bertalanffy growth function were asymptotic length (L∞) of 69.9 cm TL for S. sphyraena and 53.5 cm TL for A. fuscus. The growth constant (K) was calculated as 1.64 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.50 yr-1 for A. fuscus. The mean length-at-first capture (Lc) was found to be lower than the mean length at sexual maturity (Lm) for both species. The sex ratio showed a dominance of females over males in S. sphyraena, and 1:1 for A. fuscus. The total mortality rate (Z) for S. sphyraena was more than for A. fuscus. The estimated natural mortality (M) was 1.88 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.74 yr-1 for A. fuscus whilst fishing mortality (F) rate was 3.04 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.93 yr-1 for A. fuscus. The exploitation ratio showed that both fish stocks were exploited over the optimum levels. The estimated population parameters of the species obtained from the study, therefore, might be useful for the sustainable management of the stocks.


Author(s):  
David K.A. Barnes ◽  
Lloyd S. Peck

Thirty-five specimens of the articulate brachiopod Neorhynchia strebeli were collected from a site at 814 m in the Weddell Sea. This was only the second species of the order Rhynchonellida to be found in Antarctica. Formerly N. strebeli was known solely from abyssal Pacific Ocean localities. A circumantarctic distribution is suggested in addition to the known deep-sea Pacific range. The specimens of this collection showed considerable commissure variation, suggesting that the previously proposed erection of two subspecies on the basis of this character is erroneous, and emphasises the phenotypic plasticity of some articulate brachiopods. The valve lengths and the number of alpha growth rings in the sample showed a normal distribution and a von Bertalanffy growth function was fitted to the data: Lt = 23 (1-exp[-0·228t]). If the alpha growth rings were of annual periodicity, the ages attained by the Antarctic N. strebeli of 11 y would be substantially lower than those reported for other Weddell Sea brachiopods. The epibiotic communities occurring on the valves of N. strebeli were impoverished, which is characteristic of deep water Antarctic brachiopods. The few specimens collected with their substratum were attached to small pebbles, but the typical attachment substrata may be different.


Author(s):  
Ricardo Serrão Santos ◽  
Richard D. M. Nash ◽  
Stephen J. Hawkins

The age and population structure of Parablennius sanguinolentus parvicornis (Valenciennes) (Pisces: Blenniidae) from the Azores have been studied. Total length and weight relationships are given for each sex. Age study was based on otoliths readings. The von Bertalanffy growth function was applied to describe the growth in total length with age. At the end of the first year mean (±SD) total length was significantly different in males (7.1 ±1.5 cm) and females (6.1 ±1.2 cm). One-year-old males participate in reproduction as satellites, whereas females do not. The implications of this in early growth rate of the males is discussed. During the two most important months of the reproductive season (i.e. June and July), the sex ratio was significantly biased towards males, particularly in the larger size classes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas F Peiró ◽  
Fernando L Mantelatto

The Pinnotheridae family is one of the most diverse and complex groups of brachyuran crabs, many of them symbionts of a wide variety of invertebrates. The present study describes the population dynamics of the pea crab Austinixa aidae (Righi, 1967), a symbiont associated with the burrows of the ghost shrimp Callichirus major (Say, 1818). Individuals (n = 588) were collected bimonthly from May, 2005 to September, 2006 along a sandy beach in the southwestern Atlantic, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Our data indicated that the population demography of A. aidae was characterized by a bimodal size-frequency distribution (between 2.0 and 4.0 mm and between 8.0 and 9.0 mm CW) that remained similar throughout the study period. Sex ratio does not differ significantly from 1:1 (p > 0.05), which confirms the pattern observed in other symbiontic pinnotherids. Density values (1.72 ± 1.34 ind. • ap.-1) are in agreement with those found for other species of the genus. The mean symbiosis incidence (75.6%) was one of the highest among species of the Pinnotheridae family, but it was the lowest among the three studied species of the genus. Recruitment pattern was annual, beginning in May and peaking in July, in both years, after the peak of ovigerous females in the population (from March to May). Our findings describe ecological and biological aspects of A. aidae similar to those of other species of this genus, even from different geographic localities.


Author(s):  
Albogast T. Kamukuru ◽  
Shigalla B. Mahongo ◽  
Baraka C. Sekadende ◽  
Joseph S. Sululu

The population dynamics of Stolephorus commersonnii (Lacepède, 1803) from a ringnet fishery operating off the northern coast of Tanga Region were evaluated based on monthly length-frequency data collected from August 2016 to August 2017. The total length (TL) and total weight (TW) of 14,410 individuals ranged from 22 to 130 mm and from 0.39 to 14.64 g respectively. S. commersonnii exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern with the length-weight relationship model: W = 0.00001 x L2.886. The von Bertalanffy growth function was Lt = 86.03 x (1 – e–1.19(t – (–0.01))) using ELEFAN I from the FiSAT II software tool package. Growth performance index and longevity were estimated at (ɸ) = 3.9 and Tmax = 2.5 yrs, respectively. The total (Z), fishing (F) and natural (M) mortalities were determined at 1.39, 0.53 and 0.86 yr-1, respectively. The current exploitation rate (Ecur) was estimated at 0.38. S. commersonnii exhibited a year-round breeding pattern, with two recruitment peaks in March and June/July. Length-at-first-capture (Lc50) and length-at-first-sexual maturity (Lm50) were 40.51 and 57.35 mm TL, respectively, suggesting growth overfishing. The stock of anchovy indicates an overfishing scenario requiring management intervention such as reducing fishing effort levels, increasing mesh sizes and introducing seasonal closures during peak spawning periods.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inès Chater ◽  
Ahlem Romdhani-Dhahri ◽  
Jean Louis Dufour ◽  
Kélig Mahé ◽  
Nadia Chakroun-Marzouk

The growth and mortality of the brown meagre, Sciaena umbra from the Gulf of Tunis, were investigated using a sample of 276 specimens, ranging from 15.3 to 49.2 cm total length and from 43 to 1565 g total weight. Specimens were collected from artisanal fisheries between October 2008 and September 2011. Otoliths were extracted, thin cross-sections were realized and radii were measured. The log-linear morphometric relationships between total length-total weight and total length-otolith radius were significant (p < 0.05), showed positive allometry (b=3.15) and isometry (b=0.90), respectively. The marginal analysis suggested that only one growth increment was deposited per year. The maximum age of the brown meagre was 22 years for males and 31 years for females. The fit of the von Bertalanffy growth function was significantly different between sexes (p


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Tirtadanu Tirtadanu ◽  
Suprapto Suprapto ◽  
Ali Suman

Udang jinga (Metapenaeus affinis H. Milne Edwards, 1837) merupakan salah satu jenis udang ekonomis penting yang diusahakan di perairan Kotabaru dan saat ini produksinya cenderung mengalami penurunan. Salah satu data dan informasi yang diperlukan dalam mengkaji tingkat pemanfaatan dan dasar pengelolaannya adalah aspek biologi dan parameter populasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengkaji aspek biologi dan parameter populasi udang jinga sebagai bahan kebijakan pengelolaan perikanan udang di perairan Kotabaru, Kalimantan Selatan. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Januari – November 2016 di perairan Kotabaru. Parameter pertumbuhan diestimasi berdasarkan pergeseran modus struktur ukuran panjang dengan metode ELEFAN I. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan rata-rata ukuran udang jinga (M. affinis) betina yang tertangkap adalah 23,6 ± 3,45 mmCL dengan modus ukuran 24 mmCL dan rata-rata ukuran udang jantan adalah 20,7 ± 2,9 mm dengan modus ukuran 18 mmCL. Nisbah kelamin udang jinga jantan dan betina adalah 1 : 2,5. Musim pemijahan udang jinga diduga berlangsung sepanjang tahun dan puncak pada bulan Maret. Ukuran rata-rata pertama kali tertangkap (Lc) udang lebih kecil dari ukuran rata-rata pertama kali matang gonad (Lm) (21,7 < 28,5 mm CL) sehingga sebagian besar udang tertangkap berukuran kecil dan belum memijah. Persamaan pertumbuhan udang jinga jantan  CL(t)=35,95(1-e-2.02(t+0,31) dan udang jinga betina CL(t)= 38,3(1-e-1,92(t+0,29)). Tingkat pemanfaatan udang (E) menunjukkan lebih tangkap (overfishing) yakni 0,70/tahun pada jantan dan 0,73/tahun pada betina. Dengan demikian disarankan untuk melakukan pengurangan upaya penangkapan sebesar 40% dan penutupan musim penangkapan di bulan Maret.The jinga shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis H. Milne Edwards, 1837) was one of important commodity that was exploited in Kotabaru Waters, yet the production tend to be declined recently. The data and information on biological aspects and population parameters are needed to investigate the exploitation level and the basis of management measures. This research aims to investigate the biological aspects and population parameters of jinga shrimp Kotabaru waters, South of Kalimantan. This research was conducted on January – November 2016. The growth parameters were estimated as movement of length frequency mode by ELEFAN I method. The results showed that the mean size of female jinga shrimp (M. affinis) was 23,6 ± 3,45 mm CL and the mode was 24 mmCL. While, the mean size of male jinga shrimp was 20,7 ± 2.9 mm CL and the mode was 18 mmCL. The sex ratio of male and female shrimp was 1 : 2,5 . Spawning season of jinga shrimp was estimated throughout the year and the peak was in March. The length at first captured (Lc) was shorter than length at first matured (Lm) (21,7 < 28,5 mm CL). That means most of the catches was immature. The growth function of male and female jinga shrimp were and, CL(t)=35,95(1-e-2.02(t+0,31) respectively and CL(t)= 38,3(1-e-1,92(t+0,29)). The exploitation rate (E) of male and female shrimp fishing were  0,70/year 0,73/year, respectively. The reduction of fishing effort needed by 40% of the actual combined with the temporal fishing closure March.


2011 ◽  
Vol 685 ◽  
pp. 165-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos B. da Silva ◽  
Ricardo J. N. dos Reis ◽  
José C. F. Pereira

AbstractThe characteristics of the intense vorticity structures (IVSs) near the turbulent/non-turbulent (T/NT) interface separating the turbulent and the irrotational flow regions are analysed using a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a turbulent plane jet. The T/NT interface is defined by the radius of the large vorticity structures (LVSs) bordering the jet edge, while the IVSs arise only at a depth of about $5\eta $ from the T/NT interface, where $\eta $ is the Kolmogorov micro-scale. Deep inside the jet shear layer the characteristics of the IVSs are similar to the IVSs found in many other flows: the mean radius, tangential velocity and circulation Reynolds number are $R/ \eta \approx 4. 6$, ${u}_{0} / {u}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } \approx 0. 8$, and ${\mathit{Re}}_{\Gamma } / { \mathit{Re}}_{\lambda }^{1/ 2} \approx 28$, where ${u}_{0} $, and ${\mathit{Re}}_{\lambda } $ are the root mean square of the velocity fluctuations and the Reynolds number based on the Taylor micro-scale, respectively. Moreover, as in forced isotropic turbulence the IVSs inside the jet are well described by the Burgers vortex model, where the vortex core radius is stable due to a balance between the competing effects of axial vorticity production and viscous diffusion. Statistics conditioned on the distance from the T/NT interface are used to analyse the effect of the T/NT interface on the geometry and dynamics of the IVSs and show that the mean radius $R$, tangential velocity ${u}_{0} $ and circulation $\Gamma $ of the IVSs increase as the T/NT interface is approached, while the vorticity norm $\vert \omega \vert $ stays approximately constant. Specifically $R$, ${u}_{0} $ and $\Gamma $ exhibit maxima at a distance of roughly one Taylor micro-scale from the T/NT interface, before decreasing as the T/NT is approached. Analysis of the dynamics of the IVS shows that this is caused by a sharp decrease in the axial stretching rate acting on the axis of the IVSs near the jet edge. Unlike the IVSs deep inside the shear layer, there is a small predominance of vortex diffusion over stretching for the IVSs near the T/NT interface implying that the core of these structures is not stable i.e. it will tend to grow in time. Nevertheless the Burgers vortex model can still be considered to be a good representation for the IVSs near the jet edge, although it is not as accurate as for the IVSs deep inside the jet shear layer, since the observed magnitude of this imbalance is relatively small.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 3478-3491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Goldstein ◽  
George Leckie ◽  
Christopher Charlton ◽  
Kate Tilling ◽  
William J Browne

Aim To present a flexible model for repeated measures longitudinal growth data within individuals that allows trends over time to incorporate individual-specific random effects. These may reflect the timing of growth events and characterise within-individual variability which can be modelled as a function of age. Subjects and methods A Bayesian model is developed that includes random effects for the mean growth function, an individual age-alignment random effect and random effects for the within-individual variance function. This model is applied to data on boys’ heights from the Edinburgh longitudinal growth study and to repeated weight measurements of a sample of pregnant women in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort. Results The mean age at which the growth curves for individual boys are aligned is 11.4 years, corresponding to the mean ‘take off’ age for pubertal growth. The within-individual variance (standard deviation) is found to decrease from 0.24 cm2 (0.50 cm) at 9 years for the ‘average’ boy to 0.07 cm2 (0.25 cm) at 16 years. Change in weight during pregnancy can be characterised by regression splines with random effects that include a large woman-specific random effect for the within-individual variation, which is also correlated with overall weight and weight gain. Conclusions The proposed model provides a useful extension to existing approaches, allowing considerable flexibility in describing within- and between-individual differences in growth patterns.


1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 787 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Fulton

Faunal variation between sample sites in Great Lake and Arthurs Lake, using both qualitative and quantitative data, was analysed. Cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis showed that the fauna of the original lake areas of both lakes is distinct from the fauna of the newly flooded areas. Closer relationships exist between the faunas of the old level of the two lakes than between the faunas of the old and new levels within either lake. The distinction is not attributable to depth but may be influenced by substrate differences. The effects of abnormal fluctuations in water level on benthic fauna are discussed. Biomass variation between the sample sites was examined in relation to component species groups. The sites at the old level were dominated by oligochaetes whereas chironomids contributed most to the sites at the new level. Consistent seasonal peaks were evident in the biomass at sites at the new level but not at sites at the old. The mean annual biomass levels (wet wt) for Great Lake (13.9 g m-2) and Arthurs Lake (35.9 g m-2) are compared with recorded values for other Australian and overseas lakes. Biomass levels of Australian lakes in general are also discussed.


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