The purple clam, Amiantis purpurata, inhabits the warm-temperate waters of the southwestern Atlantic, from Espírito Santo (Brazil) to the San Matías Gulf (Argentina). There are no previous studies dealing with its biology and populations dynamics. Astock located in Playa Villarino (San Antonio Este, San Matías Gulf) supports the only artisanal fishery targeting this species. Some peculiar aspects of its dynamics revealed by this study have significant implications for management: 1. It constitutes the southernmost population of this species, and appears to be isolated from other populations located to the north 2. Individuals are slow-growing 3. It seems to be composed of just one or a few annual classes, which are older than 10 years . 4. The spatial... |