Species Profiles. Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). COMMON RANGIA.
Abstract
Species profiles are literature summaries of taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. These are designed to assist in environmental impact assessment. The common rangia is a common inhabitant of shallow, low salinity (zero to 18 ppt) estuaries along the northern Gulf of Mexico. The population density of rangia may exceed 1000 clams/sq m. Rangia spawn between March and November, following a sudden rise or fall of salinity of 5 to 10 ppt. Juvenile clams develop rapidly, settling after about 7 days. Juveniles tolerate salinity and temperature extremes of 2 to 20 ppt and 8 to 32 C. The growth rate of clams ranges from zero to 20 mm per year depending on conditions. Clams may live 15 years or more, attaining a maximum length of about 94 mm. Rangia are found in a wide range of substrate from sand to soft mud. Rangia are filter feeders, ingesting large amounts of detritus and phytoplankton, and are the prey of a large number of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and ducks. Deposits of fossil shell material are dredged for a number of industrial purposes. Keywords: Tropic ecology. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA162637
Entities
People
- Armando A. De La Cruz
- Mark W. Lasalle
Organizations
- Mississippi State University