Differences in growth patterns among three bivalve species and in relation to exposure and implications for aquaculture and ecological functions

Abstract

In this paper, similarities and differences in growth patterns, measured as changes in soft tissue weight and shell length, among three bivalve species in Sweden (blue mussels, Pacific oysters and European flat oysters) were studied with the aim to achieve information on spatial and temporal variability among these commercially important species. The study showed that there are significant differences in spatial growth pattern between blue mussels and both of the oyster species, where oysters grew faster in more protected locations compared to mussels, which had a generally faster growth in the exposed localities. The weight: length ratio also differed among species, where mussels had a lower ratio compared to oysters. Potential causes of the observed patterns and consequences for bivalve farming as well as implications for ecological functions are discussed. The results are valuable in site-selection processes at both local (individual farmers) and regional/national scales (planning processes etc), and indicates that spatial planning of bivalve aquaculture need inclusion of species specific growth parameters.