Publication Abstract

Age structure of a population of the hard shell clam, Mercernaria mercenaria from Southampton Water, England, derived from acetate peel replicas of shell sections

Age structure of a population of the hard shell clam, Mercernaria mercenaria from Southampton Water, England, derived from acetate peel replicas of shell sections

C.A. Richardson and P. Walker

Annual lines in the internal shell structure of Mercenaria mercenaria were used to age clams from North Wales (cultivated stock) and Southampton Water (wild stock). A comparison was made between the number of lines visible under low-power (x6 magnification) in shell sections and the number observed microscopically (x10 to x25 magnification) in acetate peel replicas of sections. The ages of 134 wild clams from Southampton Water were determined using acetate peel replicas. The age frequency distribution in the samples collected in 1983 and 1988 revealed certain prominent year classes in the population. The years 1969, 1976, 1977, and 1984 were occasions when there was above average settlement and/or subsequent survival.

Reference:

C.A. Richardson and P. Walker, 1991. Age structure of a population of the hard shell clam, Mercernaria mercenaria from Southampton Water, England, derived from acetate peel replicas of shell sections. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 48: 229-236.

C.A. Richardson and P. Walker*

ICES Journal of Marine Science, 48: 229-236