Dinámica energética del crecimiento en una población del mejillón Perna perna (Filibranchia: Mytilidae) en el noreste del Estado Sucre, Venezuela

Abstract

The quantities of biomass produced in gametes, somatic tissue growth, byssus formation and organic matrix in the shell were studied from September 1988 through September 1989 in an exploited population of Perna perna (L.) in Guatapanare, State Sucre, Venezuela. The specific biomass of each component were evaluated using monthly length - dry weight equations and a model of population growth. Growth rate is high, reaching 87.84 mm at 12 months. The production of somatic tissue (Ps) was maximun at 10 months of age; however, organic matrix of shell (Pc) and byssus (Pb), reached a maximun at 8 months of age. Gonad production (Pg) evaluated by weight loss in two principal periods of spawning (October-December, 1988 and April-June 1989) increased with age from a value of 0.04 g/month at 4 months to 0.25 g/month at 14 months of age. The ratio production/biomass (P/B) decreased with population age; however, reproductive effort (Pg/Px 100) increased from 14.81 % at 4 months to 42.37 at 14 months of age, reveling a population strategy of scarse longevity and higher reproductive potential.