ISSN:
1432-1939
Keywords:
Placopecten magellanicus
;
Scallop
;
Reproductive effort
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Gonad output, reproductive effort and residual reproductive value are greater in scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) from shallow water, where conditions are more favourable, than in scallops from deep water. Variation between years in these fitness correlates is also greater in shallow water scallops. High reproductive effort is associated with a greater reproductive cost, although in general reproduction in this species appears to be “restrained”, and only in older individuals from shallow water is there evidence of “reckless” reproductive behaviour. Reproductive effort increases as the animal grows older, but residual reproductive value is a maximum at age 4 years, after which it decreases with age owing to greater mortality. Localities vary in their suitability for scallop growth and reproduction, and at one Newfoundland site conditions in shallow water (10 m) are better than those in deep water (31 m). Scallops from the former have a greater fitness than those from the latter. The energy costs of reproduction have implications for life history variability in P. magellanicus, although for a considerable part of its lifetime the scallop is able to maximise gamete production in response to environmental factors (especially the food supply) without trading off reproduction against growth or maintenance.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00378981
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