The Biology of the Genus Donax

Ansell, A. D.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-2938-3_46

Cited by 88 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Donacids play different roles in different habitats. On tropical beaches (Venezuela), Donax denticulatus dominates benthic biomass, but only accounts for a comparatively low portion (5%) of the total production (Ansell, 1983). In comparison, the combined contribution of Indian Donax incarnatus and Donax spiculum to macrobenthic production ranged between 56 and 61% (Ansell et al, 1978).…”

Section: Biomass and Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the abundance is limited by their specialisation to coastal high-energy habitats, Donax species show a strong adaptive radiation with tidal migration as a common feature. Notwithstanding Ansell's (1983) assertion that donacids are restricted to distinct zoogeographical domains, some species inhabit regions with an overlap of subtropical and temperate zones. Only 5% of the 64 species are found in cold temperate areas (>5 C; Bally, 1986), with lowest species diversity on the West Coast of Africa (Ansell, 1983).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bivalves of the family Donacidae inhabit exposed intertidal sandy beaches and form worldwide, by far, the largest group living in such highly dynamic environments (for review, see Ansell, 1983). Members of the genus Donax are commonly the main primary consumers in soft bottom communities, while they are in turn subject to predation by a wide variety of invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population structure, growth and production of the surf clam Donax serra (Bivalvia, Donacidae) on two Namibian sandy beaches

Laudien

Brey

Arntz

2003

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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Population structure, growth and production of the surf clam Donax serra (Bivalvia, Donacidae), inhabiting highly exposed sandy beaches of Namibia, were investigated between November 1997 and December 1999. From length-frequency distribution and tagging-recapture data, a von Bertalanffy growth function with an asymptotic length (L 1 ) of 82 mm and a growth constant (K) of 0.274 yr ÿ1 was established. Regarding growth performance of Donacidae, D. serra fits in a group of species inhabiting cold temperate and upwelling regions. The intertidal biomass of the studied population ranged between 141 and 546 g ash-free dry mass (AFDM) m ÿ2 yr ÿ1 . Individual production was maximal at 56.5 mm shell length (0.83 g AFDM ind. ÿ1 yr ÿ1 ), and annual production ranged between 167 and 637 g AFDM m ÿ2 yr ÿ1 , resulting in productivity values ðP=B Þ between 1.167 and 1.589 yr ÿ1 . These data underline the importance of D. serra for the beach/surf ecosystem. Further, the findings of this study are crucial to support future aquaculture or exploitation activities and management.

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Section: Biomass and Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population structure, growth and production of the surf clam Donax serra (Bivalvia, Donacidae) on two Namibian sandy beaches

Laudien

Brey

Arntz

2003

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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“…Bivalves of the genus Donax are widespread on the exposed sandy beaches of tropical and temperate coasts (Ansell, 1983). Donax trunculus is an Atlantic-Mediterranean warm-temperate species that has been recorded from Senegal to the French coast (Tebble, 1966).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depth segregation phenomenon in <i>Donax trunculus</i> (Bivalvia: Donacidae) populations of the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)

Gaspar¹,

Chı́charo²,

Vasconcelos³

et al. 2002

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY: A study was undertaken to evaluate the existence of depth segregation between size classes of Donax trunculus populations that occur along the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). Five collecting areas were sampled in the Ria Formosa barrier islands, namely in the Culatra, Barreta and Armona Islands, between March and June 1998. The study was based on size frequency distribution analysis and shell biometric relationships. The size frequency distribution showed the predominance of smaller individuals (<25 mm) in the renewal area (0.5-1.0 m depth) and the prevalence of larger individuals (≥25 mm) at greater depths (4.0-6.0 m depth). The biometric study revealed the existence of significant differences in the type of growth between size classes in relation to depth distribution and burrowing activity. On the basis of these results, some specific management measures were proposed for this important bivalve fishery, taking into account the distinct fishing strategies and operations (manual and boat-operated dredging) performed at different depths.

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“…Despite the fact that D. obesulus and M. donacium are sympatrically distributed along large parts of the coastal HCS, their biogeography reflects different environmental affinities, which may explain their contrasting responses to the extremes of ENSO cycle. The family Donacidae primarily inhabits warm areas, with most of the living species (>75%) restricted to the tropics (Ansell, 1983). D. obesulus most likely represents a species of tropical affinity with adaptations to cooler waters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recurrent, thermally-induced shifts in species distribution range in the Humboldt current upwelling system

Carstensen¹,

Riascos²,

Heilmayer³

et al. 2010

Marine Environmental Research

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a b s t r a c tEl Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a global climate variablility, which fundamentally influences environmental patterns of the Humboldt Current System (HCS) off Chile and Peru. The surf clams Donax obesulus and Mesodesma donacium are dominant and highly productive bivalves of exposed sandy beaches of the HCS. Existing knowledge indicates that El Niño (EN, warm phase of ENSO) and La Niña (LN, cold phase of ENSO) affect populations of both species in a different way, although understanding of the mechanisms underlying these effects is still lacking. The aim of this study was to test hypotheses attempting to explain field observations on the effect of strong EN or LN events by using controlled experimental conditions. Growth and mortality rates of both species were registered during a four-week experiment under EN temperature conditions, normal temperature conditions and LN temperature conditions. While D. obesulus exhibited reduced growth and higher mortality under LN conditions, M. donacium showed reduced growth and higher mortality under EN conditions. The results clearly indicate different temperature tolerance windows for each species, possibly reflecting the evolutionary origins of the Donacidae and Mesodesmatidae in regions with contrasting temperature regimes. These results provide experimental support for previous hypotheses suggesting that thermal tolerance is the driving factor behind observed changes in the species distributions of D. obesulus and M. donacium during the extreme phases of ENSO.

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The Biology of the Genus Donax

Cited by 88 publications

References 65 publications

Population structure, growth and production of the surf clam Donax serra (Bivalvia, Donacidae) on two Namibian sandy beaches

Population structure, growth and production of the surf clam Donax serra (Bivalvia, Donacidae) on two Namibian sandy beaches

Depth segregation phenomenon in <i>Donax trunculus</i> (Bivalvia: Donacidae) populations of the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)

Recurrent, thermally-induced shifts in species distribution range in the Humboldt current upwelling system

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