Abstract
Abstract Seventeen enzymes and general proteins were tested in adult Mactra discors Gray, 1837 and M. murchisoni Deshayes, 1854 from the Wellington west coast and Cloudy Bay, to find a biochemical genetic marker that would allow the identification of juvenile Mactra spp. (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mactridae). Two proteins, glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase and general protein, could identify 1148 juveniles. Shells from juvenile specimens, identified by protein markers, were used to test for morphological differences between species. Blind tests showed that the relative abundance of radial lirae permitted 44–100% of shells to be identified correctly, the sculpture of lateral teeth 43–100%, and colour and shape 61–98%. Recruitment patterns varied on two Wellington west coast beaches with M. discors juveniles dominating in early to mid 1990 and M. murchisoni dominating in early 1991.
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