Environmental aspects of growth in the Antarctic molluscs Nacella concinna (Patellidae) and Yoldia eightsi (Nuculanidae) at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands

• Main Author: Nolan, Conor Paul
• Other Authors: Clarke, A. ; Jones, N. V.
• Published: University of Hull 1991
• Subjects: 590; Applied biology
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.384866

The rate of growth in many localised or sedentary marine species is governed by the effects and variation of environmental parameters. At high latitudes few studies have investigated this relationship in marine invertebrates and a lack of information exists on growth studies combined with an ecological and physical assessment of the contemporary marine environment. Antarctic growth studies have generally been limited to short term periods of summer research due to the logistic difficulties and commitment required for longer periods of work. These investigations, whilst contributing to the seasonal pool of Antarctic growth data, provide a basis for further work and generally speculate on the causes and effects of the limitations to the annual growth cycle in benthic marine species. The present study aims to elucidate and interpret annual variations within the inshore marine environment and investigate the interactions of physical, chemical and ecological parameters on the growth rates and ecology of two Antarctic inshore marine molluscs; the limpet Nacella concinna and the bivalve Yoldia eightsi.