Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T09:01:42.772Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Stock assessment, spatial distribution and biological parameters of the clam Venerupis decussata along the Sfax coasts (Tunisia, Central Mediterranean)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2015

Abdelkarim Derbali ,
Aymen Hadj Taieb ,
Wassim Kammoun ,
Jaouadi Gouirah ,
Amira Wannes-Ghorbel ,
Nedra Zamouri-Langar ,
Mohamed Ghorbel  and
Othman Jarboui
Abdelkarim Derbali*
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Aymen Hadj Taieb
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Wassim Kammoun
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Jaouadi Gouirah
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Amira Wannes-Ghorbel
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Nedra Zamouri-Langar
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Mohamed Ghorbel
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
Othman Jarboui
Affiliation:
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to:A. Derbali, Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Sfax, Tunisia email: [email protected], [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The grooved carpet shell Venerupis decussata (=Ruditapes decussatus) (Linnaeus, 1758) is a Mediterranean autochthonous species that in Tunisia is heavily harvested from natural populations. It represents one of the important economic issues, especially in terms of employment and the trade balances of the country via its exportation. Despite its economic value, no studies have been carried out about the spread of this mollusc. Thus the status of this species is still poorly known and there is a knowledge gap about its stocks assessment. This study aimed to investigate the distribution, abundance and population structure of the carpet shell clam in Sfax coastal areas. In terms of geographic occupation, maps of the population distribution were drawn. The results showed a scattered distribution pattern of the species according to location ranging between 0 and 152 ind m−2. The consequence was a remarkable biomass which represented 891 tonnes of total fresh weight and high abundance levels reaching over 261.7 ± 84.2 million individuals estimated in the area of 4182 hectares. The distribution of the species has also been investigated in consideration with the size which varied markedly according to location, the shell length ranged between 2 and 41 mm. The overall sex ratio (F:M) was 1:1.17, which was significantly different from parity (1:1). The size at which 50% of the population reached maturity was 24.08 and 24.76 mm shell length for males and females, respectively. Findings of the current study suggest that V. decussata proliferates along southern Tunisian coasts.

Keywords

BivalveclamVenerupis decussatadistributionstock assessmentpopulation structuresexualitysize at first maturityTunisian waters
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 96 , Issue 1: Oceans and Human Health , February 2016 , pp. 177 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Ben Othman, S. (1973) Le sud tunisien (Golfe de Gabès), hydrologie, sédimentologie, flore et faune. Thèse de Doctorat, Université de Tunis, Tunisie.Google Scholar
Banni, M., Bouraoui, Z., Ghedira, J., Clearandeau, C., Jebali, J. and Boussetta, H. (2009) Seasonal variation of oxidative stress biomarkers in clams Ruditapes decussatus sampled from Tunisian coastal areas. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 155, 119–128. doi: 10.1007/s10661-008-0422-3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bertignac, M., Auby, I., Foucard, J., Martin, S., De Montaudouin, X. and Sauriau, P.G. (2001) Évaluation du stock de palourdes du Bassin d'Arcachon. IFREMER DRV/RH/RST/2001-05.Google Scholar
Breber, P. (1985) On growing of the carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus: two years’ experience in Venice lagoon. Aquaculture 44, 51–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bustamante, R.H., Branch, G.M., Eekhout, S., Robertson, B., Zoutendyk, P., Schleyer, M., Dye, A., Hanekom, N., Keats, D., Jurd, M. and McQuaid, C. (1995) Gradients of intertidal primary productivity around the coast of South Africa and their relationships with consumer biomass. Oecologia 102, 189–201.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Caill-Milly, N., Duclerq, B. and Morandeau, G. (2006) Campagne d’évaluation du stock des palourdes du bassin d'Arcachon (campagne 2006): IFREMER.Google Scholar
Charef, A., Zamouri-Langar, N. and Houas-Gharsallah, I. (2011) Stock size assessment and spatial distribution of bivalve species in the Gulf of Tunis. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 92, 179–186.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conti, C., Muller, Y. and Lamare, V. (2014) In DORIS: Ruditapes spp., http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=1379Google Scholar
Dellali, M., Gnassia-Barelli, M., Romeo, M. and Aissa, P. (2001) The use of acetylcholinesterase activity in Ruditapes decussatus and Mytilus galloprovincialis in the biomonitoring of Bizerta lagoon. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C 130, 227–235. doi: 10.1016/S1096–4959(01)00426-2Google ScholarPubMed
Dellali, M., Romeo, M., Gnassia-Barelli, M. and Aissa, P. (2004) A multivariate data analysis of the clam Ruditapes decussatus as sentinel organism of the Bizerta lagoon (Tunisia). Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 156, 131–144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Derbali, A. (2011) Biologie, abondance et cartographie de deux espèces de Bivalves: l'huître perlière Pinctada radiata et la coque glauque Cerastoderma glaucum dans le golfe de Gabès. Thèse de Doctorat. Université de Sfax, Tunisie.Google Scholar
Derbali, A., Elhasni, K., Jarboui, O. and Ghorbel, M. (2012) Distribution, abundance and biological parameters of Cerastoderma glaucum (Mollusca: Bivalvia) along the Gabes coasts (Tunisia south, Central Mediterranean). Acta Adriatica 53, 363–374.Google Scholar
Derbali, A., Hadj Taieb, A., Kammoun, W., Jarboui, O. and Ghorbel, M. (2014) Mapping stocks and population structure of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum in the littoral zone of Sfax (Tunisia, Central Mediterranean). Cahiers de Biologie Marine 55, 353–361.Google Scholar
Derbali, A., Jarboui, O. and Ghorbel, M. (2009a) Reproductive biology of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the north coast of Sfax (Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia). Ciencias Marinas 35, 141–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Derbali, A., Jarboui, O. and Ghorbel, M. (2011) Distribution, abundance and population structure of the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in southern Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean). Cahiers de Biologie Marine 52, 23–31.Google Scholar
Derbali, A., Jarboui, O., Ghorbel, M. and Dhieb, K. (2009b) Reproductive biology of the pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata (Mollusca: Pteriidae), in northern Kerkennah Island (Gulf of Gabes). Cahiers de Biologie Marine 50, 215–222.Google Scholar
Draredja, B. and Beldi, H. (2004) Distribution de la palourde Venerupis decussata (Linnaeus, 1758) dans la lagune Mellah durant la période automne, hiver et printemps. Bulletin de l'Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer 9, 39–42.Google Scholar
Fathallah, S., Medhioub, M.N., Medhioub, A. and Kraiem, M.M. (2010) Toxicity of Hg, Cu and Zn on early developmental stages of the European clam (Ruditapes decussatus) with potential application in marine water quality assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 171, 661–669. doi: 10.1007/s10661-010-1311-0CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gharbi, A., Chatti, N., Said, K. and Van Wormhoudt, A. (2010) Genetic variation and population structure of the carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus along the Tunisian coast inferred from mtDNA and ITS1 sequence analysis. Biologia 65, 688–696. doi: 10.2478/s11756-010-0069-8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gulland, J.A. (1969) Manuel des méthodes d’évaluation des stocks d'animaux aquatiques. Première partie: analyse des populations. Rome: Manuels FAO des Sciences Halieutique, No. 4, FRS/M4.Google Scholar
Hamida, L. (2004) Etude comparative du cycle de reproduction de la palourde Ruditapes decussatus en milieux naturel (Sud Tunisie) et contrôlé (écloserie). Cahiers de Biologie Marine 45, 291–303.Google Scholar
Hamza-Chaffai, A., Pellerin, J. and Amiard, J.C. (2003) Health assessment of marine bivalve Ruditapes decussatus from the Gulf of Gabès. Environment International 28, 609–617. doi: 10.1016/S0160-4120 (02)00102-2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haouas-Gharsallah, I., Zammouri, N., Jarboui, O., Mrabet, R. and Missaoui, H. (2008) Evaluation et cartographie des stocks de coquillages comestibles dans la lagune de Bizerte (Nord de la Tunisie). Novapex 9, 33–40.Google Scholar
Jara-Jara, R., Pazos, A.J., Abad, M., Garcia-Martin, L.O. and Sànchez, J.L. (1997) Growth of clam seed (Ruditapes decussatus) reared in the wastewater effluent from a fish farm in Galicia (NW Spain). Aquaculture 158, 247–262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laing, I., Utting, S.D. and Kilada, R.W.S. (1987) Interactive effect of diet and temperature on the growth of juvenile clams. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 113, 23–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lubet, P. (1959) Recherches sur le cycle sexuel et l’émission des gamètes chez les Mytilidés et les Pectinidés (mollusques bivalves). Revue des Travaux de l'Institut des Pêches Maritimes (ISTPM) 23, 387–548.Google Scholar
Lucas, A. (1965) Recherches sur la sexualité des Mollusques Bivalves. Bulletin biologique de la France et de la Belgique 95, 115–247.Google Scholar
Medhioub, M.N. (1983) La conchyliculture en Tunisie. Projet Tunis/92/002. Direction générale de la pêche et de l'Aquaculture. PNUD/FAO.Google Scholar
Medhioub, M.N. (1993) La conchyliculture en Tunisie. Projet Tunis 192/002. République tunisiennes, Ministère de l'Agriculture, Direction Générale de la Pêche et de l'Aquaculture. PNUD/FAO.Google Scholar
Medhioub, M.N., Lymayem, Y., Fathallah, S., Abed, M.M. and Medhioub, A. (2006) Cycle d’élevage de la palourde Ruditapes decussatus (Mollusque, Lamellibranche) produite en écloserie). Bulletin de l’Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer 13, 1007–1017.Google Scholar
Menge, B.A. and Olson, A.M. (1990) Role of scale and environmental factors in regulation of community. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 5, 52–67.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mzighani, S. (2005) Fecundity and population structure of cockles, Anadara antiquata L. 1758 (Bivalvia: Arcidae) from a sandy/muddy beach near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Western Indian Ocean Journal Marine Science 4, 77–84.Google Scholar
Smaoui-Damak, W., Hamza-Chaffai, A., Berthet, B. and Amiard, J.C. (2003) Preliminary study of the clam Ruditapes decussatus exposed in situ to metal contamination and originating from the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 71, 961–970.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sobral, P. and Widdows, J. (2014) Effects of elevated temperatures on the scope for growth and resistance to air exposure of the clam Ruditapes decussatus (L.), from southern Portugal. Scientia Marina 61, 163–171.Google Scholar
Stergiou, K.I., Christou, E.D., Georgopoulos, D., Zenetos, A. and Souvermezoglou, C. (1997) The Hellenic Seas: physics, chemistry, biology and fisheries. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 35, 415–538.Google Scholar
Trigui, N.E. (1995) La palourde Ruditapes decussatus des côtes tunisiennes biométrie, reproduction et impact de l'environnement sur la bioaccumulation en métaux traces. Thèse de Doctorat. Faculté de Sciences de Tunis, Tunisie.Google Scholar
Trigui-El Menif, N., Le Pennec, M. and Maamouri, F. (1995) La reproduction de la palourde Ruditapes decussatus (Mollusque, Bivalve) sur les côtes tunisiennes. Vie Marine 5, 35–42.Google Scholar
Vilela, H. (1950) Vida bentónica de Tapes decussatus. Travail Station de Biologie Marine Lisbonne 53, 1–79. [In Portuguese.]Google Scholar
Zamouri-Langar, N. (1991) Le cycle sexuel de Tapes decussatus, Linnaeus 1758 (Bivalve/Veneridae) dans le canal de Tunis. Bulletin de l'Institut national scientifique et technique d'océanographie et de pêche, Salammbô 18, 5–22.Google Scholar
Zamouri-Langar, N. and Tritar, B. (1995) Cycle reproducteur de la clovisse Tapes decussatus (L., 1758) de la lagune nord de Tunis. Bulletin Sociale de Science National de Tunis 25, 19–25.Google Scholar
Zar, J.H. (1996) Biostatistical analysis, 3rd edn.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar