Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Population density and genetic structure of the giant clams Tridacna crocea and T. squamosa on Singapore’s reefs

2011; Inter-Research; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/ab00400

2195-2744

Mei Lin Neo, PA Todd,

Marine Biology and Ecology Research

AB Aquatic Biology Contact the journal Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections AB 14:265-275 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00400 Population density and genetic structure of the giant clams Tridacna crocea and T. squamosa on Singapore’s reefs Mei Lin Neo1,2, Peter A. Todd1,* 1Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Blk S2 #02-02, Singapore 117543 2Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, #02-01, Singapore 117543 *Email: dbspat@nus.edu.sg ABSTRACT: Giant clams in Singapore have been subjected to anthropogenic impacts such as fishing, coastal development and sediment pollution for decades, making their study a priority for local reef management. Between September 2009 and August 2010, 29 reefs among Singapore’s Southern Islands were surveyed (total area = 87515 m2). Both intertidal and subtidal zones were included, i.e. from shore to the edge of the upper reef slope (depths = 1 to 6 m). A total of 59 clams (but no juveniles) were found, resulting in a contemporary density of 0.067 per 100 m2. Only 2 species, Tridacna crocea and T. squamosa, were encountered, compared to the 4 species recorded historically. The genetic relatedness among individuals from these 2 species was examined using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Higher levels of polymorphism and genetic diversity were observed among T. crocea; both were less pronounced in the T. squamosa population, where a single haplotype was present in half of the individuals. The reef conditions in Singapore, especially the lack of suitable substrate and high turbidity, create a poor environment for giant clam reproduction and recruitment. It appears to be low mortality among mature clams that maintains the present population, but with the adults exposed to ongoing stressors, Singapore’s entire giant clam stock is endangered. KEY WORDS: Giant clam · Sediment · Distribution · Survey · Restocking · Population genetics Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Neo ML, Todd PA (2012) Population density and genetic structure of the giant clams Tridacna crocea and T. squamosa on Singapore’s reefs. Aquat Biol 14:265-275. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00400 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AB Vol. 14, No. 3. Online publication date: March 06, 2012 Print ISSN: 1864-7782; Online ISSN: 1864-7790 Copyright © 2012 Inter-Research.