Age estimation of the oyster Ostrea puelchana determined from hinge internal growth pattern

DOLDAN, MARÍA DEL SOCORRO; DE RAFELIS, MARC; KROECK, MARINA; PASCUAL, MARCELA S.; MORSAN, ENRIQUE M.

MARINE BIOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2018

0025-3162

A multiproxy approach was used to analyse the internal growth pattern of Ostrea puelchana shells. Field investigations usingfuorochrome stains were performed to estimate the deposition time of the lines of irregular growth. Cathodoluminescence(CL) microscopy of the hinge area and isotopic composition analyses of shells were performed. The oxygen isotopic compositionof the shells showed seasonal fuctuations across the hinge. The results of CL microscopy and stable isotopes providedthe frst age estimations for wild specimens of O. puelchana. The maximal age of analysed oysters was 4.5 years. Shell depositionoccurred at temperatures above 11 °C approximately, suggesting growth slowdown and/or cessation in winter. Linesof irregular growth showed no consistent temporal pattern; these growth structures cannot be used as sclerochronologicalproxies of growth season or shell age. O. puelchana is sensitive to seasonal environmental changes, which cause changesin its carbonate structure, although the pattern is not consistent, as in other species. In this study, the age of O. puelchanaspecimens from San Matías Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina, was estimated, providing a basis for future studies on this species.