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The diet of the edible cockle Anadara antiquata L. (Bivalvia, Arcidae) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the northeast monsoons

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Abstract

The diet of the cockle Anadara antiquata L. was studied along Dar es Salaam coast during the N-E Monsoon season. No zooplankton were found in the 80 cockle guts examined. 27 phytoplankton genera were identified, an indication of wide phytophagy. Members of classes Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Pyrophyceae and Prasnophyceae were very prevalent in the diet. Scenedesmus, Chlamydomonas, Palmeria, Exuviella, and Coscinodiscus showed the highest recurrence frequencies per gut.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    P. F. Kasigwa

  2. Institute of Fisheries Research, Ministry of Natural Resources, P.O., Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    C. G. Mahika

Authors
  1. P. F. Kasigwa
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  2. C. G. Mahika
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Kasigwa, P.F., Mahika, C.G. The diet of the edible cockle Anadara antiquata L. (Bivalvia, Arcidae) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the northeast monsoons. Hydrobiologia 209, 7–12 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006713

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006713

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