Biological parameters and abundance of the razor clam, (Solen brevis), from the Bushehr area of the Persian Gulf

摘要

Biological parameters were estimated for the razor clam (Solen brevis) sampled from the intertidal zone around Bushehr, Iran. Monthly and periodic quadrat sampling along random transects were conducted from October 2008 to September 2009 to estimate abundance and growth parameters. The estimated abundance of S. brevis ranged from 1.50 (August) to 4.20 (October) clams per 0.25 m2 (mean 3.25, SD 1.1), while the estimated growth parameters for L_∞ and K were 120 mm and 0.7, respectively. The mean total length ranged from 80.8 mm (± 10.2) in November to 97.6 mm (± 14.2) in July. Natural mortality (M) and maximum age (Tmax) were estimated at 0.26 per year and 4.6 years, respectively. Expansion of the shrimp culture industry along with petroleum exploration activities are believed to be the major factors responsible for the decrease in population size for S. brevis along the coast of Bushehr.