The growth, reproduction, and density of warty venus clams (Venus verrucosa) were studied at a depth of 2–5 m in Baklaburnu Bay in the North Aegean Sea, Turkey. Samples were collected monthly between September 2012 and August 2013. The average density of the studied population ranged between 152 individuals m-2 (October) and 310 individuals m-2 (June). The shell length at first capture (L50%) by hand rake was 37 mm. von Bertalanffy growth parameters using the length—frequency distribution of V. verrucosa were estimated at L∞ = 57.65 mm, the rate at which the asymptotic length (L∞) is approached (K) = 0.25 y-1, theoretical age (y) when the length = 0 (t0) = -0.211, and seasonal oscillation in the growth rate was 0.30. Growth was rapid during the first 4 y of life (∼40 mm) and decreased after the 4th y. The slowest growth period was in January (winter point = 0.03). Overall growth performance, growth performance index, and potential longevity derived from seasonal parameters were calculated as 4.68, 2.92, and 12.0 y, respectively. The growth pattern showed isometric growth (slope [b] = 3.09) and the spawning period occurred from mid-June to August.
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1 August 2015
Population Structure and Dynamics of Warty Venus, Venus verrucosa (Bivalvia, Veneridae), in North Aegean Sea, Turkey
Serhat Çolakoğlu,
Mustafa Palaz
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Journal of Shellfish Research
Vol. 34 • No. 2
August 2015
Vol. 34 • No. 2
August 2015
density
growth
North Aegean Sea
reproduction
Venus verrucosa
warty venus clam