Aspect of biology and ecology of shellfish Anomalocardia brasiliana (Gmelin, 1791) (Bivalvia, Veneridae)

Abstract

The exploration of marine resources has been an important activity in Brazilian coastal communities, and it is practiced especially for subsistence and income supplement. This context, the shellfish Anomalocardia brasiliana has been collected on beaches from different Brazilian regions for decades and sold by local fishermen. This species may be found in different sizes and it inhabits areas with distinct abiotic characteristics. Specimens with length of 39 mm were found in the region of Sao Paulo. In the State of Bahia, the maximum length of this species was 34 mm. Specimens with 29 mm were found in Tainheiros station, BA. The maximum length for A. brasiliana in the Paranagua Bay, PR, was 33 mm. In studies developed in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, the maximum length for A. brasiliana was 32 mm, presenting, in earlier studies, specimens about 1 to 28 mm, where the most common specimens are from 22 to 24 mm. It is verified that a decrease of its abundance in this region may occur, especially in the rainy period, what probably may be linked to the amount of sediment in the region or even to the decrease of salinity in month of year. The shellfish A. brasiliana may present size variation especially for the difference of salinity, type of sediment, availability of food and fishing. This context, the present work aims to accomplish a review of the aspects concerning to biology and ecology of the A. brasiliana.