Individual Growth of Anodonta beringiana (Unionidae, Bivalvia) in Postlarval Ontogenesis

Resumo

Individual linear growth in 26 specimens of Anodonta beringiana is studied by measuring the successive annual rings on the surface of the shells. It is shown that the growth of mollusks is well described by the von Bertalanffy growth equation. The coefficients of this equation do not significantly differ between individuals, averaging k = 0.062 ± 0.011 year^–1 and L_∞ = 155.8 ± 19.5 mm. Species lifespan, calculated as a product of the growth constant k and the maximum longevity of mussels in the population, is 1.7. This value is close to the average species lifespan of other bivalve species.