Inter-Research > MEPS > v707 > p43-56  
MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

via Mailchimp

MEPS 707:43-56 (2023)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14264

Testing macroecological hypotheses in sandy beach populations: the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus in South America

M. C. Risoli1, A. R. Piola2, O. Defeo3, D. Luzzatto4, E. Celentano3, B. J. Lomovasky1,*

1Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC 1260 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina
2Departamento de Oceanografía, Servicio de Hidrografía Naval - Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), (1271) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
3Laboratorio de Ciencias del Mar (UNDECIMAR), Facultad de Ciencias, (11400) Montevideo, Uruguay
4Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales (IPATEC), Universidad Nacional del Comahue (UNCo) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), (R8400) Bariloche, Argentina
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Large-scale spatial and temporal variability in environmental conditions may result in differences in life-history traits, population demography, and abundance of sandy-beach species. We analyzed the effects of salinity, chlorophyll a (chl a), and sea surface temperature (SST) on population parameters of the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus from 75 South American sandy beaches covering a 15° latitudinal range. Generalized modeling results showed that between-beach differences in abundance, population structure, growth performance, productivity, mortality, and individual shell mass were mainly explained by salinity fluctuations, with chl a and SST as secondary contributors, overriding, in most cases, local habitat features (Dean’s parameter, grain size, slope). Our results provide valuable insights into macroscale ecological processes, setting a basis to delineate conservation guidelines at large spatial scales that respond to the potential effects of climate variability and change on sandy beach populations.


KEY WORDS: Bivalve · Macroecology · Environmental correlates · Life-history traits


Full text in pdf format
Supplementary material
Cite this article as: Risoli MC, Piola AR, Defeo O, Luzzatto D, Celentano E, Lomovasky BJ (2023) Testing macroecological hypotheses in sandy beach populations: the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus in South America. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 707:43-56. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14264

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article