Ecology of mussel shells (Donax compressus Lamark, 1800) in Tiku Beach Agam district, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Objective: Mussel shells are a group of shells that had active movement and migration when the tide occurs. It will migrate towards the beach when the high tide came and towards the sea when the low tide came. In Tiku beach, Donax compressus had been used for consumption and sell. There is no information about ecology of this species. Methodology: This study was conducted using survey method and systematic sampling method. Results: The results showed total average density of mussel shells around 217.78±40.47 individual m−2(n = 2940). The distribution pattern of mussel shells in the edge flat, the middle flat and the precipice flat is clumped. The growth pattern of mussel shells is isometric. Conclusion: The growth rate of mussel shells based on the maximum scallop shell length in theory L∞ = 46.2 mm and coefficient growth k = 0.410/year. Theoretically, maximum age of shells around 4.6 years.