Ruditapes philippinarum, a venerid clam, is a dominant species in the sandy and muddy areas in the coastal waters of the Marmara Sea. Intensive commercial harvesting of this species is conducted in these regions. We studied the population dynamics of R. philippinarum on the southern coast of the Marmara Sea (Bandırma). Samples were collected on a monthly basis between September 2012 and August 2013. Seasonal von Bertalanffy growth parameters using the length-frequency distribution of R. philippinarum were estimated at L ? = 67.50 mm and K = 0.33 year -1 , and the seasonal oscillation in growth rate was 0.53. The slowest growth period was in January. The growth performance index and potential lifespan were 3.182 and 8.06 years, respectively. The growth relationship was confirmed to have a positive allometric pattern. The average total mortality rate was estimated to be 0.777 year -1 , whereas the natural and fishing mortality rates were 0.539 and 0.238 year -1 , respectively. The current exploitation rate of R. philippinarum was 0.306. The recruitment pattern peaked during June-August, and spawning occurred between May and August. The results of this study provide valuable information on the status of R. philippinarum stocks.

SummaryThe growth and survival of fan mussel (Pinna nobilis, Linnaeus) juveniles, from natural spatfall, were compared in two groups (large and small size) in Karantina Island Izmir, Turkey, between December 2004 and April 2006. Total live weight, shell length, width and thickness of fan mussel were measured monthly during the study period. Small (32 mm) and large (73 mm) size groups of fan mussel individuals reached 140.25±10.46 mm and 154.36±16.12 mm in length and 64.64±17.98 g and 99.74±30.53 g in live weight, respectively. Significant differences were found in increases of shell length and live weight. Environmental parameters such as chlorophyll-a, seawater temperature, salinity, particulate organic matter (POM) and particulate inorganic matter (PIM) were determined during each sampling period. Shell length increase was affected by chlorophyll-a and PIM. However, increases in shell length did not correlate with temperature and POM. Survival rates for small and large groups were 93% and 100%, respectively. Keywords

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The bivalvia species of the Dardanelles were investigated at the upper infralittoral zone, by diving and dredge. Various species belonging to 14 families were identified in the Dardanelles. The families are as follows: Mytilidae, Ostreidae, Cardiidae, Pimidae, Solenidae, Pectinidae, Arcidae, Nuculidae, Veneridae, Donacidae, Tellinidae, Anomidae, Scrobiculariidae and Gastrochaenidae.