Abundance, growth and production of the bivalve Solemya sp., a food source for juvenile rock lobsters in a seagrass community in Western Australia

摘要: The infaunal bivalve Solemya sp. is the most abundant mollusc (up to 2660·m−2) in seagrass meadows at Seven Mile Beach, which support juveniles of western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus George. becomes sexually mature 5 mm and may grow a lenght 17.6 mm. found throughout year, temperatures 18–25°Cand mean annual density (± 1 se) 1140 ± 232·m−2 dense seagrass. Its shell lacks external growth rings, population does not have distinct recruitment cohorts. Growth, mortality were assessed from populations recruited situ chambers then maintained field or aquaria. Recruit natural occurs year-round. Growth 0.029–0.133 mm·day−1, with maturity taking an average 64 days summer 163 winter. Mortality rates are estimated 0.0097–0.051·day−1. Annual production sparse was 15.4 31.2 g AFDW·m−2 respectively, corresponding P:B ratios 10.4 13.9. Patterns length-frequency samples different densities suggest existence density-dependent mortality; high also indicate rates. Production by Beach sufficient supply up 22% food requirements for ≥ 2-yr-old P. cygnus.