Annual and spatial variability in gains of body weight in Macoma balthica (L.): Relationships with food supply and water temperature

The present paper reports on the results of a long-term field study on the simultaneous influence of 2 environmental factors (temperature and food supply) on annual growth rates in the tellinid bivalve Macoma balthica. For >30y (1978–2009) we monitored twice-annually the weight changes of soft pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology 2014-08, Vol.457, p.105-112
Main Authors: Beukema, J.J., Cadée, G.C., Dekker, R., Philippart, C.J.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Bivalve
Bivalvia
Food concentration
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Growth rate
Invertebrates
Macoma balthica
Mollusca
Wadden Sea
Water temperature
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Summary:The present paper reports on the results of a long-term field study on the simultaneous influence of 2 environmental factors (temperature and food supply) on annual growth rates in the tellinid bivalve Macoma balthica. For >30y (1978–2009) we monitored twice-annually the weight changes of soft parts of individuals of known age at several permanent sampling stations located at Balgzand, an extensive (50km2) tidal flat area in the western Dutch Wadden Sea. Monthly data were available on mean water temperature and chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration from a nearby site in the main tidal inlet. Mean individual ash-free dry weights at ages of nearly 1 and of nearly 1.5y were assessed in February/March and in August, respectively. Such weights show a consistent annual pattern: they increase between late winter and early summer to decline for the remainder of the year. Annual multi-station means of the spring/summer individual weight gains were higher as chl a concentrations in the water had been higher and water temperatures had been lower for the growing season. These correlations proved to be stronger at sampling sites that were situated low in the intertidal zone close to the main tidal stream than at those high in the intertidal near the coast (where M. balthica obtain their food primarily by deposit feeding on benthic material). At the low off-shore sites, suspended algae are available for longer daily periods and their concentrations in flood water may be less depleted by grazers. The negative correlation between weight gain and water temperature may have been primarily based on the shortening of the M. balthica growing seasons in warm summers. We conclude that the present simultaneous trends of global warming and declining stocks of pelagic algae may affect M. balthica in the Wadden Sea in a similar, negative, way. •We present a 32-y data series of annual weight gains in Macoma balthica•Gains were higher at higher chl a concentrations and lower water temperatures•These relationships were stronger at low off-shore than at high coastal tidal flats•De-eutrophication and global warming might have adverse effects on M. balthica
ISSN:0022-0981
1879-1697
DOI:10.1016/j.jembe.2014.04.003