Impact of planting season on growth and survival of the carpet shell clam (Tapes clecussatus, Linnaeus 1758)

Abstract

The growth and survival of juvenile carpet shell clams, Tapes decussatus, planted in autumn (October-April) and spring (April-October) in Sufa Lagoon near Izmir, Turkey, were compared. Clams of 20.39±0.24 mm were sown in October (Group I) and clams of 20.43±0.23 mm were sown in April (Group II). Seedlings were sown in plastic boxes at a density of 160 clam/m2. Temperature ranged 8-32oC, salinity 38-43‰, and chlorophyll a 4.04-30.93 μg/l. In six months, the clams in Group I reached 23.16 mm while the clams in Group II reached 24.02 mm (p<0.05). Survival was 80% in Group I and 77.5% in Group II (p>0.05).