Faculty Mentor
Stephen Tettelbach
Major/Area of Research
Biology
Description
The channeled whelk, Busycotypus canaliculatus, is a commercially valuable gastropod found on the east coast of the United States. In New York, the channeled whelk fishery is largely unregulated, due to a lack of knowledge regarding the life history of the species. This study focuses on determining the age and size at first reproduction of the channeled whelk population in the Great South Bay, on the southern shore of Long Island. Whelks were obtained from a commercial fisherman and individually dissected to determine maturity; correlations to shell length and shell width were then examined. The operculum of each individual dissected was then examined for growth striae. Previous findings have confirmed that growth striae, dark rings on the operculum, are laid annually and can be used to determine approximate age in gastropod species (Kreuter 1985). Male channeled whelks of the Great South Bay population were found to reach sexual maturity at around 7 years of age, with shells generally at least 135mm in length and 70mm in width. Females were found to mature more slowly; first reaching sexual maturity at around age 8 with shells approximately 155mm in length and 90mm in width. The long-lived nature of the species and late onset of maturity makes the species especially vulnerable to being harvested before having the opportunity to reproduce and replenish the fishery. Therefore, the need for regulation is imperative to avoid a future fishery collapse; the goals of this study are to provide scientific backing in support of future management decisions.
Included in
Age and size at first reproduction in the Channeled Whelk population of the Great South Bay, Long Island, New York.
The channeled whelk, Busycotypus canaliculatus, is a commercially valuable gastropod found on the east coast of the United States. In New York, the channeled whelk fishery is largely unregulated, due to a lack of knowledge regarding the life history of the species. This study focuses on determining the age and size at first reproduction of the channeled whelk population in the Great South Bay, on the southern shore of Long Island. Whelks were obtained from a commercial fisherman and individually dissected to determine maturity; correlations to shell length and shell width were then examined. The operculum of each individual dissected was then examined for growth striae. Previous findings have confirmed that growth striae, dark rings on the operculum, are laid annually and can be used to determine approximate age in gastropod species (Kreuter 1985). Male channeled whelks of the Great South Bay population were found to reach sexual maturity at around 7 years of age, with shells generally at least 135mm in length and 70mm in width. Females were found to mature more slowly; first reaching sexual maturity at around age 8 with shells approximately 155mm in length and 90mm in width. The long-lived nature of the species and late onset of maturity makes the species especially vulnerable to being harvested before having the opportunity to reproduce and replenish the fishery. Therefore, the need for regulation is imperative to avoid a future fishery collapse; the goals of this study are to provide scientific backing in support of future management decisions.