Population dynamics of the mangrove clam Polymesoda erosa (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) in Iwahig, Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

The mangrove clam Polymesoda erosa (Solander, 1786) is a principal mollusc resource collected by artisanal fishermen in the mangrove forest of Iwahig River, Palawan, Philippines. Between April 2013 and May 2014, measurements of shell lengths of P. erosa were undertaken to determine its population dynamics. The estimated L∞ and K of the von Bertalanffy Growth Formula (VBGF) were 107.1 mm and 1.0 yr-1 respectively. Total mortality (Z) was 3.74 yr-1, natural mortality (M) was 1.41 yr-1 and fishing mortality (F) was 2.33 yr-1. The exploitation rate (E = 0.62) which surpassed the maximum exploitation rate (Emax = 0.50) suggests the need to regulate harvesting. Exploring the aquaculture potentials of this species is suggested.