Dynamique de la reproduction chez le quahaug Mercenaria mercenaria a l'Ile-du-Prince-Edouard (French and English text).

摘要

The northern quahaug Mercenaria mercenaria is considered to be an important shellfish species in Atlantic Canada, both for its commercial and recreational value. This region, however, represents the northernmost limit of its geographical distribution and, as such, implies that environmental or ecological differences from those populations located further south present additional challenges for stock management. In addition, a sustainable exploitation of quahaugs as a fisheries resource requires accurate information of its biology. The focus of this study was to better understand the dynamics involved in the reproduction of the quahaug in relation to the environment and population structure.; Studies were conducted in West River, Prince Edward Island, to determine which biological and ecological factors influence quahaug reproduction and how the effects of these factors differed from populations along the American east coast. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)