Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Population structure, mortality and growth of Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca, Bivalvia) at different depths in Moraira bay (Alicante, Western Mediterranean)

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An investigation to characterize the causes of Pinna nobilis population structure in Moraira bay (Western Mediterranean) was developed. Individuals of two areas of the same Posidonia meadow, located at different depths (A1, −13 and A2, −6 m), were inventoried, tagged, their positions accurately recorded and monitored from July 1997 to July 2002. On each area, different aspects of population demography were studied (i.e. spatial distribution, size structure, displacement evidences, mortality, growth and shell orientation). A comparison between both groups of individuals was carried out, finding important differences between them. In A1, the individuals were more aggregated and mean and maximum size were higher (A1, 10.3 and A2, 6 individuals/100 m2; A1, x = 47.2 ± 9.9; A2, x = 29.8 ± 7.4 cm, P < 0.001, respectively). In A2, growth rate and mortality were higher, the latter concentrated on the largest individuals, in contrast to A1, where the smallest individuals had the higher mortality rate [A1, L = 56.03(1 − e−0.17t); A2, L = 37.59(1 − e−0.40t), P < 0.001; mean annual mortality A1: 32 dead individuals out of 135, 23.7% and A2: 16 dead individuals out of 36, 44.4%, and total mortality coefficients (z), zA1(−30) = 0.28, zA1(31–45) = 0.05, zA1(46−) = 0.08; zA2(−30) = 0.15, zA2(31–45) = 0.25]. A common shell orientation N–S, coincident with the maximum shore exposure, was observed in A2. Spatial distribution in both areas showed not enough evidence to discard a random distribution of the individuals, despite the greater aggregation on the deeper area (A1) (A1, χ2=0.41, df = 3, P > 0.5, A2, χ2=0.98, df = 2 and 0.3 < P < 0.5). The obtained results have demonstrated that the depth-related size segregation usually shown by P. nobilis is mainly caused by differences in mortality and growth among individuals located at different depths, rather than by the active displacement of individuals previously reported in the literature. Furthermore, dwarf individuals are observed in shallower levels and as a consequence, the relationship between size and age are not comparable even among groups of individuals inhabiting the same meadow at different depths. The final causes of the differences on mortality and growth are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference

  • Anderson TW (1971) An introduction to multivariate statistical analysis. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler A, Vicente N, De Gaulejac B (1993) Ecology of de Pterioid bivalves Pinna bicolor Gmelin and Pinna nobilis L. Life 3(1–2):37–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Catsiki VA, Catsikieri CH (1992) Presence of chromium in P. nobilis collected from a polluted area. Fresenius Environ Bull 1:644–649

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Combelles S, Moreteau JC, Vicente N (1986) Contribution a la connaissance de l’ecologie de Pinna nobilis L. (Mollusque eulamelibranche). Sci Rep Port-Cros Nat Park 12:29–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Côté IM (1995) Effects of predatory crab effluent on byssus production in mussels. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 188:233–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Gaulejac B, Vicente N (1990) Ecologie de Pinna nobilis (L.) mollusque bivalve sur les côtes de Corse. Essais de transplantation et expériences en milieu contrôlé. Haliotis 10:83–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte CM, Agustí S, Kennedy H, Vaqué D (1999) The Mediterranean climate as a template for Mediterranean marine ecosystems: the example of the northeast Spanish littoral. Prog Oceanogr 44:245–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott JM (1983) Some methods for the statistical analysis of samples of benthic invertebrates. Freshwater Biological Association, Scientific Publication No 25, Oxford

  • Fiorito G, Gherardi F (1999) Prey-handling behaviour of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) on bivalve preys. Behav Proc 46:75–88

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher NI (2000) Statistical analysis of circular data. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • García-March JR (2003) Contribution to the knowledge of the status of Pinna nobilis (L.) 1758 in Spanish coasts. Mem Inst Oceanogr Paul Ricard 9:29–41

    Google Scholar 

  • García-March JR (2005) Aportaciones al conocimiento de la Biología de Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca: Bivalvia), en el litoral mediterráneo Ibérico. Publication Service of the University of Valencia, Valencia (in press)

  • García-March JR, Ferrer JF (1995) Biometría de Pinna nobilis L., 1758: una revisión de la ecuación de De Gaulejac y Vicente (1990). Bol Inst Esp Oceanogr 11(2):175–181

    Google Scholar 

  • García-March JR, García-Carrascosa AM, Peña A (2002) The problems of in situ measurement of Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 shell, for age and growth studies: a new device. Mar Ecol PSZN 23(3):207–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-March JR, Garcia-Carrascosa AM, Perez-Rojas L (in press) Influence of hydrodynamic forces on population structure of Pinna nobilis L., 1758 (Mollusca: Bivalvia): the critical combination of drag force, water depth shell size and orientation. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol

  • Giraud G (1977) Essai de classement des herbiers de Posidonia oceanica. (Linné) Delile. Bot Mar 20:487–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glaus KJ (1968) Factors influencing the production of byssus threads in Mytilus edulis. Biol Bull 135:420

    Google Scholar 

  • Granata TC, Serra T, Colomer J, Casamitjana X, Duarte CM, Gacia E (2001) Flow and particle distributions in a nearshore seagrass meadow before and after a storm. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 218:95–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulland JA (1988) Fish stock assesment: a manual of basic methods. FAO/WILEY series on food and agriculture, vol 1. Wiley, Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, Singapore

  • Katsanevakis S (2005) Population ecology of the endangered fan mussel Pinna nobilis in a marine lake. Endang Species Res 1:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Mihailinovic M (1955) Lostura. Morsko Ribarstvo 7:113–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreteau JC, Vicente N (1982) Evolution d’une population de Pinna nobilis L. (Mollusca, Bivalvia). Malacologia 22(1–2):341–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Porcheddu AS, Castelli A, Romor R (1998) Considerazioni su un popolamento di Pinna nobilis L., nel Golfo degli Aranci (Sardegna nord-orientale): prospettive di salvaguardia. Boll Malacol 33(1–4):21–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Price HA (1983) Structure and formation of the byssus complex in Mytilus (Mollusca, Bivalvia). J Mollus Stud 49:9–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos MA (1998) Implementing the habitats directive for mollusc species in Spain. J Conchol Spec Publ 2:125–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Remier O, Tedengren M (1997) Predator-induced changes in byssal attachment, aggregation and migration in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. Mar Freshw Behav Physiol 30(4):251–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson CA, Kennedy H, Duarte CM, Kennedy DP, Proud SV (1999) Age and growth of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis from south-east Spanish Mediterranean seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows. Mar Biol 133:205–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson CA, Peharda M, Kennedy H, Kennedy P, Onofri V (2004) Age, growth rate and season of recruitment of Pinna nobilis (L) in the Croatian Adriatic determined from Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca shell profiles. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 299:1–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanjaume E (1985) Las costas valencianas. Sedimentología y morfología. PhD Thesis, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España

  • Shanks AL, Brink L (2005) Upwelling, downwelling, and cross-shelf transport of bivalve larvae: test of a hypothesis. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 302:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siletic T, Peharda M (2003) Population study of the fan shell Pinna nobilis L. in Malo and Veliko Jezero of the Mljet National Park (Adriatic Sea). Sci Mar 67(1):91–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smeathers JE, Vincent JFV (1979) Mechanical properties of mussel byssus threads. J Mollus Stud 45:219–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor JJ, Rose RA, Southgate PC (1997) Byssus production in six age classes of the silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctata maxima (Jameson). J Shell Res 16(1):97–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Templado J (2001) Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758. In: Ramos MA, Bragado D, Hernández J (eds) Los invertebrados no insectos de la Directiva Hábitat en España. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Serie Técnica, Madrid, pp 82–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas MLH (1982) A physically derived exposure index for marine shorelines. Ophelia 8:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Torres J, Giner ML, Esteban JL, Capaccioni R, García-Carrascosa AM (1990a) Distribution and preliminary evaluation of the state of the Posidonia oceanica Meadows on the Coasts of Alicante. Rapp Comm Int Expl Sci Mer Mediterr 32(1):9

    Google Scholar 

  • Torres J, García-Carrascosa AM, Benedito V, Esteban JL, Giner LM, Capaccioni R (1990b) Posidonia oceanica Barrier-Reefs at Spain Eastern Coasts. Preliminary data. Rapp Comm Int Expl Sci Mer Mediterr 32(1):9

    Google Scholar 

  • Uryu Y, Iwasaki K, Hinoue M (1996) Laboratory experiments on behaviour and movement of a freshwater mussel, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker). J Mollus Stud 62:327–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vicente N (1990) Estudio ecológico y protección del molusco lamelibranquio Pinna nobilis L. 1758 en la costa mediterránea. Iberus 9(1–2):269–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Vicente N, Moreteau JC (1991) Statut de Pinna nobilis L. en Mediterranee (mollusque eulamellibranche). In: Boudouresque CF, Avon M, Gravez V (eds) Les Espèces Marines à Protéger en Méditerranée. Gis Posidonie publication, Marseille, pp 159–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Vicente N, Moreteau JC, Escoubet P (1980) Etude de l’evolution d’une population de Pinna nobilis L. (Mollusque Eulamelibranche) au large de l’anse de la Palud (Parc National de Port-Cros). Trav Sci Parc Natl Port-Cros 6:39–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang YG (2004) Estimation of growth parameters from multiple-recapture data. Biometrics 60:670–675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yonge CM (1953) Form and habit in Pinna carnea Gmelin. Phil Trans R Soc Lond Ser B. 237:335–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zavodnik D (1967) Contribution to the ecology of Pinna nobilis L. (moll. bivalvia) in the Northern Adriatic sea. Thalas Yugol 3:93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Zavodnik D, Hrs-Brenko M, Legac M (1991) Synopsis on the fan shell Pinna nobilis L. in the eastern Adriatic sea. In: Boudouresque CF, Avon M, Gravez V (eds) Les Espèces Marines à Protéger en Méditerranée. Gis Posidonie publication, Marseille, pp 169–178

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank to Prof. M. Jesús Bayarri (Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Univ. Valencia) and M. A. Sanchís, Prof. R. Capaccioni and J. D Acuña (Marine Biology Laboratory, University of Valencia) for their technical support in the first stages of the research. We are also greatful to Prof. A. Márquez and F. Robles (Department of Paleontology, University of Valencia). This experiments complied with the current environmental laws of Spain.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Marine Biology Laboratory, University of Valencia, C/Doctor Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot (Valencia), Spain

    J. R. García-March & A. M. García-Carrascosa

  2. Cnidarian Biodiversity and evolution Laboratory, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Apdo. Correos 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain

    A. L. Peña Cantero

  3. CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences, 65 Brockway Road, Floreat, WA, 6014, Australia

    Y.-G. Wang

Authors
  1. J. R. García-March
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. M. García-Carrascosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. L. Peña Cantero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y.-G. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. R. García-March.

Additional information

Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

García-March, J.R., García-Carrascosa, A.M., Peña Cantero, A.L. et al. Population structure, mortality and growth of Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca, Bivalvia) at different depths in Moraira bay (Alicante, Western Mediterranean). Mar Biol 150, 861–871 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0386-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0386-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation