Open AccessAspects of growth, recruitment and conservation of the Brown Mussel Perna perna along the Tsitsikamma Coast
Author(s) -
Robert J. M. Crawford,
D. F Bower
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
koedoe
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 2071-0771
pISSN - 0075-6458
DOI - 10.4102/koedoe.v26i1.592
Subject(s) - perna perna , mussel , rocky shore , fishery , perna viridis , national park , shore , ecology , settlement (finance) , geography , biology , bivalvia , mollusca , computer science , payment , world wide web
Beds of brown mussels Perna perna are a dominant feature of the lower tidal range of rocky shores in the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park. Mussels in this region attain a length of 30-40 mm by the end of their first year, and the majority probably exceed 50 mm at two years of age. Secondary settlement of plantigrades occurs from midspring through early winter, especially in summer and early autumn, and growth of adult forms is slowest prior to this settlement. Settlement occurs serially and powerful cohorts may be formed. At Nature's Valley density and biomass of mussels inside the park's boundary are significantly higher than in non-protected areas. Older age groups are also more abundant within the park