Population dynamics of the date mussel,Lithophaga lithophaga (L., 1758) (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), in the Evoikos Gulf (Greece)

Abstract

Changes with time in a Lithophaga lithophaga population, spatial distribution, size-frequency distribution and recruitment were studied. The population was homogenous, without statistically significant dilferences, down to a depth of 6 m, the depth to which sampling was carried out. Population density showed periodic variations over the year and changed as the gradient of the substratum increased. Dispersion indices indicated that individuals were distributed randomly m clumps during the period of recruitment at different depths. Juveniles, up to a length of 4 mm, formed the highest percentage of the population. Larvae settled at a length of > 260 lam, and individuals reached a length of 35 mm by the end of their first year. The appearance of newly settled individuals occurred two months after the maximum occurrence of larvae in the water. High percentages of settled spat were first observed in early winter at a depth of between 0-3 m although, later, higher percentages were found at 3-6 m depth.

Production and Marketing Trends of the Cultured Mediterranean MusselMytilus galloprovincialisLamarck 1819, in Greece

“…Reports also exist for bivalves of minor commercial interest, including the bearded horse mussel Linnaeus 1758 (Virvilis et al 2003), the smooth clam Callista chione Linnaeus 1758 (Leontarakis & Richardson 2005), the Noah's ark Arca noae Linnaeus 1758, and the razor shell (Ensis minor van Urk 1964, Ensis ensis Linnaeus 1758, and Ensis siliqua Linnaeus 1758) (Galinou-Mitsoudi & Sinis 2000, Katsanevakis et al 2008). In addition, reports exist for bivalves characterized as endangered species, such as the fan mussel Pinna nobilis Linnaeus 1758 (Katsanevakis 2005, Galinou-Mitsoudi 2006b, Katsanevakis 2006, Katsanevakis 2007, and the European date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga Linnaeus 1758 (Galinou-Mitsoudi & Sinis 1994, Galinou-Mitsoudi & Sinis 1997a, Galinou-Mitsoudi & Sinis 1997b.…”

Mass spawning by the date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga

“…Population densities can be high at >1,500 ind. m −2 in shallow waters of the North Adriatic (3–5 m) 4 or >2,200 in Greece at 6 m depth 5 while distribution patterns inside rocks are patchy 6 . Lithophaga lithophaga grows slowly and a shell length of 5 cm is probably reached between 18–36 years while its life span may be between 54 and 80 years with a maximum shell length of between 8–12 cm 7 , 8 .…”

Spirolites radwanskiin. igen. n. isp.: vermetid gastropod attachment etching trace from the middle Miocene rocky coast of the Paratethys, Poland

“…The extant Mediterranean L . lithophaga (Linnaeus, 1758) is a chemical borer, which lives in very shallow (mostly from 0–6 m deep) and clean waters (Kleemann, 1973, 1974, 1990; Galinou-Mitsoudi and Sinis, 1995, 1997), commonly on steep or overhanging surfaces (Bromley and Asgaard, 1993a). This suggests that Spirolites n. igen.…”