Faculty Mentor
Stephen Tettelbach
Major/Area of Research
Biology
Description
Morton’s egg cockle, Laevicardium mortoni, is common in shallow subtidal
habitats from Nova Scotia to Brazil, but little is known of its biology and ecology.
Field studies were conducted in the Peconic Bays of Long Island, New
York to examine population and life history parameters such as density,
growth, and age at first reproduction. Suction dredging was conducted at
three sites to examine whether density varied with depth and sediment
type. Condition Indexes for a range of cockle sizes were quantified weekly
at two sites to estimate age and size at first reproduction. Growth rates and
temporal patterns of reproduction were also determined via analysis of
these samples as well as by monitoring larval settlement in spat bags placed
at 25 locations in the Peconic Bays. Preliminary results suggest that L.
mortoni exhibits very rapid growth and reproductive development. Several
distinct spawns were observed between May to September 2016. There was
no significant difference in Condition Index over time, but there was a difference
between animals greater or less than 7mm, the size at which we first
saw eggs present. Results of other analyses will also be presented.
Included in
Density, Growth, and Reproduction of the Cockle Laevicardium mortoni in the Peconic Bays, Long Island, New York
Morton’s egg cockle, Laevicardium mortoni, is common in shallow subtidal
habitats from Nova Scotia to Brazil, but little is known of its biology and ecology.
Field studies were conducted in the Peconic Bays of Long Island, New
York to examine population and life history parameters such as density,
growth, and age at first reproduction. Suction dredging was conducted at
three sites to examine whether density varied with depth and sediment
type. Condition Indexes for a range of cockle sizes were quantified weekly
at two sites to estimate age and size at first reproduction. Growth rates and
temporal patterns of reproduction were also determined via analysis of
these samples as well as by monitoring larval settlement in spat bags placed
at 25 locations in the Peconic Bays. Preliminary results suggest that L.
mortoni exhibits very rapid growth and reproductive development. Several
distinct spawns were observed between May to September 2016. There was
no significant difference in Condition Index over time, but there was a difference
between animals greater or less than 7mm, the size at which we first
saw eggs present. Results of other analyses will also be presented.