Body-Shell Dimension Relations and Growth Parameters of the Invasive Ark Clam (Anadara inaequavalvis) in Turkish Coast of the Black Sea

In this paper, the relationship between bodyshell dimensions and growth parameters of ark clam (Anadara inaequavalvis Bruguière, 1789) were estimated for the Black Sea. At the end of this research, there was a significant relationship between body size and shell dimensions. In addition to this, the Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were found as L∞=8.61 mm, K= 0.25 and t0= -0.43 yr-1. Mortality rates were also analyzed for the ark clam as Z= 0.95 yr-1, M= 0.77 yr-1, F= 0.18 yr-1. This research is important in terms of the first study of bodyshell dimension relationships and mortality rates for Anadara inaequavalvis from the Black Sea. The ark clam can use a descriptor for the Good Environmental Status (GES) according to Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 2th Task Group in European Commission