Age and growth of the endangered fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the western Mediterranean Sea. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: García-March, J.R.; Hernandis, S.; Vázquez-Luis, M.; Prado, P.; Deudero, S.; Vicente, N.; Tena-Medialdea, J.
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 153(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Von bertalanffy -- Model-growth -- Pen-shell -- Bivalve -- Mass mortality -- Die-off -- Habitat -- Global change -- Conservation; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104795
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: The present work, which is the first comparative study of the growth of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the western Mediterranean, encompasses 12 populations of this species living in different environments in France and Spain. Two hundred nine shells were processed and used to obtain growth records from the posterior adductor muscle scar. Size-at-age data were fitted to the Von Bertalanffy growth model. Considerable variability in growth parameters and age was detected among the populations. The results show that the only two fan mussel populations remaining in Spain, which live in an estuary and a coastal lagoon, occupy habitats that are optimal for fast growth, but individuals show low longevity, complicating the long-term conservation of the species. Multivariate analyses groups the populations into three groups (SO, EO and LG), and a general model is proposed for each group; the model can be used as an approximation to calculate the ages of individuals living in similar environments. Highlights: High variability is observed in growth models of 12 Pinna nobilis populations. Three general growth models are proposed for distinct environments. The models could be used to plan conservation strategies for P. nobilis. Populations surviving the die-off in paralic environments show low longevity. Oldest fan mussels were observed in marine protected areas.