The age and growth of northern quahogs Mercenaria mercenaria (=hard clam) from inner Tokyo Bay, central Japan, were investigated by observing the annuli in their hinge teeth. The ages in the shallow and deep areas are 2–9+ and 1–13+, respectively. Significant differences in growth between clams found in the shallow and deep areas were detected. The growth coefficient and shell length of clams of a particular age in the shallow area were greater than those in the deep areas. Northern quahogs in both shallow and deep areas were confirmed to spawn around summer. A larger gonadosomatic index and a higher proportion of spawning individuals were found in shallow areas. These results indicate that shallow habitats provide enhanced conditions for somatic development in northern quahogs in this region.
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31 December 2023
Age and Growth of the Northern Quahog Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758) between Neighboring Habitats in Tokyo Bay, Japan
Satoshi Katayama,
Yutaka Kobayashi,
Toshihiro Hayashi,
Mitsuhiro Ishii
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Journal of Shellfish Research
Vol. 42 • No. 3
December 2023
Vol. 42 • No. 3
December 2023
growth function
Mercenaria mercenaria
shell sectioning