Distribution and growth of bivalve molluscs Serripes groenlandicus (Mohr) and Macoma calcarea (Gmelin) in the Pechora Sea

Abstract

We studied distribution and growth of Serripes groenlandicus and Macoma calcarea in the southeastern part of the Pechora Sea. The hypothesis was tested that trends in the site-to-site variability of population characteristics of these two bivalve species were driven by their feeding types (suspension-feeder and deposit-feeder, respectively). However, such a trend was found only in the abundance distribution of these species and site-to-site variability in growth rates of S. groenlandicus. M. calcarea density on silty sediments was almost twice as high as on sandy sediments, while Serripes biomass was almost 1.5 times higher on sandy sediments than on silty sediments. The slowest-growing Serripes were found at the deepest stations and in habitats with the largest content of fine fractions (silt) in sediments. Differences in the growth of S. groenlandicus could reflect variability of feeding conditions of this suspension-feeder (e.g., hydrodynamic conditions). Thus, the growth rate of S. groenlandicus was sensitive to environmental conditions, which means it can be used as an indicator of their changes. In general, S. groenlandicus in the Pechora Sea is very slow-growing compared to other areas (maximum life span and shell length are 28 years and 70 mm, respectively). Their growth rate was closest to that in Arctic-influenced locations. On the contrary, the maximum life span and shell length of M. calcarea in the Pechora Sea (15 years and 30 mm, respectively) were similar to those in other parts of the distribution area. No significant differences were found in the group growth of M. calcarea from different studied localities.