Growth and Morphometric Characteristic of the Bivalve Callista chione Population in Timsah Lake, Suez Canal, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

2 Invertebrates Aquaculture Laboratory, Aquaculture Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba branch, Attaqa, Suez, Egypt

Abstract

This is the first attempt to study some biological aspects for the bivalve Callista chione in Egypt. The study of dimensional relationships assumes great importance in fishery biology researches. Studying the biological characteristics of C. chione is also essential for improving the state of current production and fishery management, as well as a base for introduction of its potential aquaculture. The growth of C. chione in Timsah Lake was studied in the period from June 2013 to August 2014 by the comparison of the rate of increase of one body parameter relative to that of the other parameter (allometry). The population characteristics of C. chione in Timsah Lake were studied depending on size frequency distribution to determine different age cohorts, growth parameters and mortality and exploitation rates. The results indicated that all morphometric relationships of C. chione showed a negative allometry. The length frequency analysis using FiSAT showed that C. chione population in the lake includes three age groups. The von Bertalanffy Growth Parameters; L∞, k and to, were 6.25 cm, 0.530 and -0.68 y. The growth performance index was estimated as 1.316. The natural mortality, fishing mortality and total mortality were found to be 0.5, 1.91 and 2.41 year-1. The estimated exploitation rate for C. chione from Timsah Lake was 0.792 year-1 which indicates that it is over exploited. The results of this study will help in better fisheries and management. Strategies for a sustainable exploitation of smooth clams in Timsah Lake.

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