Shell growth of Astarte elliptica (Bivalvia) from Kiel Bay (Western Baltic Sea)

Abstract

Information on growth and age of Astarte elhptica (Brown, 1827), a common bivalve in muddy sand sediments in Kiel Bay below 15 m water depth, is scattered and inconclusive. Unchanged size-frequency distributions from October 1984 to September 1985 at the 'Siiderfahrt' sampling station, 21 m water depth, suggest very slow growth. There was no linear correlation between the distinct concentric external shell ridges and internal shell growth bands. Internal growth bands were counted from acetate peels of sections of the tooth region examined by scanning electron microscopy. Evidence for an annual periodicity of growth band formation is discussed. A life span of about 20 yr is deduced for A. elliptica in Kiel Bay.