title: [Abundance, population structure and growth of the Atrina maura (Bivalvia: Pinnidae) in a tropical lagoon of the Mexican Pacific coast ].
abstract: The abundance, population structure, and growth of the Pen-shell Atrina maura in the Corralero-Alotengo tropical lagoon system in Oaxaca, Mexico, were studied from February to September of 1997. An abundance analysis showed significant temporal and spatial differences (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.001). Two spatial groups of abundance were found in the area, one from the mouth of the lagoon system to the middle of the Pen-shell bank, and the other between the middle of the Pen-shell bank and the head of the system. Three temporal periods of abundance were found (February-April-May; July-August; March-June-September). The distribution of population size showed that benthic recruitment of A. maura occurred from February to July. Length frequency of A. maura is commonly wide-ranging; nevertheless, in this study Pen-shell organisms with a valve length of 15 cm were frequently found. The growth rate length was 3.7 cm/month during the dry season (February to May), and 3.5 cm/month during the rainy season (June to September). Sex ratio was maintained at 1:1 from February to May, but males were dominant from June to August, and the minimum length for reproduction was registered at 10 cm valve length.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Recursos, Universidad del Mar, Oaxaca, México. ahumada@angel.umar.mx
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ahumada-Sempoal
authors.forename: Saúl Jaime
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Serrano-Guzmán
authors.forename: Noe
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ruiz-García
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D011156:Population Density; D012621:Seasons; D012741:Sexual Maturation