IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Is interference competition responsible for density-dependent mortality of larval Macoma balthica (L.)?
Bos, O.G.; van der Meer, J. (2005). Is interference competition responsible for density-dependent mortality of larval Macoma balthica (L.)?, in: Bos, O.G. Recruitment variation in Macoma balthica (L.): is there a role for larval food limitation?. pp. 41-54
In: Bos, O.G. (2005). Recruitment variation in Macoma balthica (L.): is there a role for larval food limitation? PhD Thesis. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen: Groningen. ISBN 90-367-2356-6. 160 pp., more

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Density dependence
    Interspecific relationships > Competition
    Mortality causes
    Macoma balthica (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
    ANE, Southern Wadden Sea [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Bos, O.G., more
  • van der Meer, J., more

Abstract
    Long-term observations (1973-2001) of stock and recruitment of the intertidal bivalve Macoma balthica in the western Wadden Sea suggest that pre-recruitment mortality is strongly density-dependent. This may be caused by food limitation during the pelagic phase as a result of interference competition. To test this an experiment was run where M. balthica larvae were reared in different combinations of larval densities (0.5 to 32 larvae mr-1) and food densities (0-80 x 10³ cells ml-1). The results show that larval growth rate (mean: 3.8 µm d-1) increased with increasing food densities, but did not show a consistent pattern with increasing larval densities. Larval mortality (mean: 0.18 d-1) was neither affected by food density, nor by larval density. The results are discussed with reference to theoretical encounter rates among larvae, and between larvae and their prey.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors