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Publication
Potential impact of harvesting management measures on the reproductive parameters of the limpets Patella aspera and Patella candei from Madeira Island
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Intertidal and shallow subtidal molluscs are highly sensitive to overharvesting because of their restricted habitat,
limited mobility and easy access to humans. Several parameters have been previously used to determine their
exploitation status, e.g. sizes, abundances and reproductive stages. Herein the reproductive parameters of two
exploited limpets, Patella candei and the protandrous hermaphrodite Patella aspera were examined. Limpets were
collected “before” (1996–2006) and “after” (2007–2017) the implementation of management measures aiming
to preserve limpet populations in Madeira Island (NE Atlantic Ocean). The proportion of reproductive in dividuals increased approximately 14% after the implementation of management measures for both species. An
increase in the size and age at first maturity of both species (from 34.6 to 37.5 mm in P. aspera and from 33.4 to
37.4 mm in P. candei) also occurred after such implementation. “Before” samples of P. aspera showed male biased populations (1.7:1) shifting towards a balanced sex ratio (1:1) after the regulations. No “before” nor
“after” sex ratio variations were observed in P. candei populations. Reproductive parameters revealed feasible to
determine the efficiency of the implementation of management measures and to detect a slight improvement in
reproductive potential of both limpet species.
Description
Keywords
Limpets Size-structure Sex ratio Harvesting Management measures North-eastern atlantic . Faculdade de Ciências da Vida
Citation
Sousa, R., Vasconcelos, J., Riera, R., Pinto, A. R., Delgado, J., & Henriques, P. (2019). Potential impact of harvesting management measures on the reproductive parameters of the limpets Patella aspera and Patella candei from Madeira Island. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 226, 106264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106264
Publisher
Elsevier