The reproductive biology of the soft shell clam Mya arenaria in Ireland and the possible impacts of climate variability
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Published Version
Date
2012
Authors
Cross, Maud E.
Lynch, Sharon A.
Whitaker, Allen
O'Riordan, Ruth M.
Culloty, Sarah C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi Corporation
Published Version
Abstract
Little is known about the biology of the softshell clam in Europe, despite it being identified as a potential species to culture for food in the future. Monthly samples of the softshell clam, Mya arenaria, were collected intertidally from Co. Wexford, Ireland, over a period of sixteen months. The mean weight of sampled individuals was 7 4 ± 4 . 9 g and mean length was 8 . 2 ± 0 . 2 cm. Histological examination revealed a female-to-male ratio of 1 : 1.15. In 2010, M. arenaria at this site matured over the summer months, with both sexes either ripe or spawning by August. A single spawning event was recorded in 2010, completed by November. Two unusually cold winters, followed by a warmer-than-average spring, appear to have affected M. arenaria gametogenesis in this area, potentially affecting the time of spawning, fertilisation success, and recruitment of this species. No hermaphrodites were observed in the samples collected, nor were any pathogens observed. Timing of development and spawning is compared with the coasts of eastern North America and with other European coasts.
Description
Keywords
Mya arenaria , Softshell clam
Citation
CROSS, M. E., LYNCH, S., WHITAKER, A., O'RIORDAN, R. M. & CULLOTY, S. C. 2012. The Reproductive Biology of the Softshell Clam, Mya arenaria, in Ireland, and the Possible Impacts of Climate Variability. Journal of Marine Biology, vol. 2012, Article ID 908163, 9 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/908163