EJPAU 2009. Chojnacki J. , Grzeszczyk-Kowalska A. , Buczek W. BIOMETRICS OF THE SWAN MUSSEL, <I>ANODONTA CYGNEA </I>L., IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE SZCZECIN LAGOON IN 2007

Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

2009
Volume 12
Issue 4

Topic:

Fisheries

ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES

Chojnacki J. , Grzeszczyk-Kowalska A. , Buczek W. 2009. BIOMETRICS OF THE SWAN MUSSEL, ANODONTA CYGNEA L., IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE SZCZECIN LAGOON IN 2007, EJPAU 12(4), #02.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume12/issue4/abs-02.html

BIOMETRICS OF THE SWAN MUSSEL, ANODONTA CYGNEA L., IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE SZCZECIN LAGOON IN 2007

Juliusz C. Chojnacki, Anna Grzeszczyk-Kowalska, Wojciech Buczek
Department of Marine Ecology and Environmental Protection, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland

ABSTRACT

The studies were conducted along the shoreline
of the southwestern part of the Szczecin Lagoon from July 30 to September 14,
2007. The animals were collected, measured and then released back into the water.
The length [L], height [H], and girth [G] of the shells were measured, and age
[A] was determined based on annual growth rings on the shell surface. These data
were used to attempt to establish the age structure of Anodonta cygnea,
and to determine the dependence among the meristic characters of this animal.
The age of individuals ranged from 1 to 6 years, and was dominated by individuals
aged 3, while individuals aged 1 year comprised only a small share of the population.
The mean length of the Anodonta cygnea shells studied ranged from 4.6
to 10.0 cm, height – 2.7 to 5.7 cm, and girth – 1.6 to 3.6 cm. It was determined
that both biotic and abiotic (primarily anthropogenic pressure) factors influenced
the abundance, distribution, age distribution, and linear meristic characters
of the Anodonta cygnea population inhabiting the Szczecin Lagoon. Despite
differences resulting from environmental factors, it was established that the
individuals collected belonged to one population. This conclusion was supported
by high correlation among the characters measured as well as the fact that the
individuals belonged to the same age structure.

Key words: Anodonta cygnea L., biometrics, estuary river Odra, swan mussel, Szczecin Lagoon, estuary river Odra.

Juliusz C. Chojnacki
Department of Marine Ecology and Environmental Protection,
West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland
Kazimierza Królewicza str. 4, 71-550 Szczecin, Poland
email: juliusz.chojnacki@zut.edu.pl

Anna Grzeszczyk-Kowalska
Department of Marine Ecology and Environmental Protection,
West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland
Kazimierza Królewicza str. 4, 71-550 Szczecin, Poland

Wojciech Buczek
Department of Marine Ecology and Environmental Protection,
West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland
Kazimierza Królewicza str. 4, 71-550 Szczecin, Poland

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed 'Discussions' and hyperlinked to the article.