Growth and reproduction of Laternula gracilis (Reeve, 1860) in Busan, Korea

Abstract

Studies on the growth and reproduction of Laternula gracilis were conducted in Busan, Korea, from January to November 2021. A total of 1,311 samples were collected, and the month and station at which the largest number of samples were taken were March and St. 9, respectively. Shell length (SL) of the collected L. gracilis ranged 4.21 ~ 50.16 mm, and the relationships between shell height (SH) and shell width (SW) were shown in the following equation: SH=0.4765SL+1.3829 (r2 = 0.9360, n = 1280, P < 0.05), SW=0.3051SL+0.6689 (r2 = 0.9091, n = 1188, P < 0.05). Total weight (TW) ranged from 0.01 to 10.54 g, and the relationship between SL and TW followed the equation: lnTW=3.2877 lnSL-10.5064 (r2 = 0.9110, n = 1263, P < 0.05). The age of L. gracilis using external ring ranged from 0 to 3 years old, and two cohort appeared during the study period. The marginal index (MI) was the lowest in February. The condition index (CI) and the proportion of mature individuals were the highest in July. The size at sexual maturity (SL50) was 32.75 mm. The Von Bertalanffy growth parameters and the growth performance index (φ′) were: L∞ = 51.31 mm; K = 1.3; t0 = 0.24 and φ′ = 3.53, VBG equation as follows: 〖SL〗_t=51.31(1-e^(-1.3(t-0.24) )).