Zygochlamys patagonica beds on the argentinian shelf. Part l: energy flow through the scallop bed community

摘要

The scallop bank, "Reclutas", on the Argentinian shelf was sampled on two occasions, first, some months after initial settlement of the scallop Zygochlamys patagonica (1995) and again, 4 years later (1998). Z.patagonica already dominated the epibenthic community (33 species) in 1995, contributing 26% to community biomass (2.85 g C.m~(-2)) and 40% to community production (0.75 g C.m~(-2).y~(-1); 95% confidence interval: 0.63 to 0.89g). In 1998, both community biomass (4.64 g C.m~(-2)) and production (1.33 g C.m~(-2). y~(-1); 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 1.57 g) were higher, and the proportion of Z.patagonica rose to > 60% for both.