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Proxy Measurements of California Mussel Valve Length

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2017

Michael Glassow ,
Elizabeth A. Sutton ,
Carola Flores Fernandez  and
Heather B. Thakar
Michael Glassow
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106-3210
Elizabeth A. Sutton
Affiliation:
Union Station Foundation, 2501 Wall Avenue, Ogden, UT 84401
Carola Flores Fernandez
Affiliation:
Casilla 1016, La Serena, Chile
Heather B. Thakar
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
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Abstract

Archaeologists studying shell assemblages from prehistoric sites along the Pacific coast of North America have been interested in the influences of collecting intensity and environmental variability on California mussel (Mytilus californianus) size. To determine the variation in mussel size within a shell assemblage, researchers have developed a variety of proxies of mussel valve length based on measurements of morphological features occurring at or near the valve’s umbo. We propose four additional measurements that can serve as proxies and evaluate their correlation with valve length using regression analysis. Of the four, anterior adductor scar length has the strongest correlation, and we present two examples of its application. We also evaluate a popular visual technique based on a set of outline drawings of valves of varying lengths, and we found that it systematically underestimated valve length but could be useful under certain circumstances. We conclude that the selection of a particular proxy of mussel valve length depends on the nature of the mussel shell assemblage being studied and the research context.

La influencia de la intensidad de recolección humana y la variabilidad ambiental sobre el tamaño del mejillón Californiano (Mytilus californianus) en la prehistoria ha sido un tema de gran interés para arqueólogos a lo largo de la costa Pacífica de Norte América. Para determinar la variación en el tamaño del mejillón dentro del conjunto malacológico, investigadores han desarrollado diferentes proxis para estimar el largo total de la valva, basado en aspectos morfológicos del umbo de la concha o alrededor de éste. En el presente trabajo proponemos cuatro medidas adicionales y evaluamos su correlación con el largo total de la concha usando análisis de regresión. De las cuatro medidas, el largo de la marca del músculo abductor anterior presenta la correlación más fuerte. Presentamos la aplicación de esta medida en dos casos de estudio. También evaluamos la comúnmente utilizada técnica de estimación de tamaño basada en dibujos de contornos de valvas completas de mejillón, la cual a pesar de ser útil bajo ciertas circunstancias, nuestros resultados muestran que subestima sistemáticamente el largo de la valva. Concluimos que la elección sobre qué medida utilizar para estimar el largo total de la valvas de mejillón depende en gran medida de la naturaleza del conjunto de conchas bajo estudio y el contexto de investigación.

Type
Research Article
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , February 2016 , pp. 31 - 40
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2016

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Supplemental Data. Digital data derived from modern and archaeological mussel shells

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