Morphometry, growth and reproduction of an Atlantic population of the razor clam Ensis macha (Molina, 1782)

摘要: SUMMARY: Ensis macha is a razor clam distributed throughout the coasts of southern Argentina and Chile. Even though it represents valuable fishery resource, exploitation its Atlantic populations has begun only in recent years. This study provides first estimates growth rate, an interpretation reproductive cycle on coast northern Argentine Patagonia analysis species morphometry. Growth was estimated by direct observation rings valves two observers. The interpreted temporal change oocyte size frequency distributions. Parameter estimations for von Bertalanffy equations respectively obtained observers 1 2 were 154 153.7 mm L°, 0.25 0.20 yr -1 k, -0.08 -0.72 t0. Two spawning peaks detected: September-November 1999 May-June 2000. However, mature females found all year round. An abrupt relationship between shell length height detected at 11.2 length.