Temporal variation in shell and soft tissue growth of the mussel Geukensia demissa

Previous studies on bivalve molluscs have not provided a consensus on whether shell and soft hssue growth occur simultaneously. This study provides separate estimates of shell and soft tissue growth of a mid-intertidal population of the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa from South Carolina, USA. Growth of these 2 parameters did not occur coincidentally at all times. The rate of growth in soft tissue was variable between January and May, but consistently high between May and October Shell growth increased steadily through the year to a maximum between June and July. The rate of growth in shell length decreased after spawning in August, but tissue growth continued at a high rate. Declines in tissue weight were observed at 3 separate times, one of which occurred during the period of fastest increase in shell length. Age-length curves and recorded growth in shell length suggest that annual growth rates of C. deniissa in South Carolina are h g h compared to other locations in the eastern U.S. Growth rates during the summer were similar to northern locations, but milder environmental conditions at this South Carolina site permit an extended growing season that results in higher overall growth rate in shell length.

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