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Species richness, relative abundance and dwarfism in Azorean bivalves: consequences of latitude, isolation or productivity? Or all three?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 December 2013

Brian Morton ,
Regina Tristão Da Cunha  and
António M. De Frias Martins
Brian Morton*
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Regina Tristão Da Cunha
Affiliation:
CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Polo dos Açores, Universidade dos Açores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
António M. De Frias Martins
Affiliation:
CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Polo dos Açores, Universidade dos Açores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Brian Morton, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China email: prof_bmorton@hotmail.co.uk
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Abstract

The Azorean seabed is depauperate in terms of bivalve species richness, there being only between ~70 and 80 recorded to date, most being sub-tidal and generally lacking of specialists. Analysis of large numbers (>3200) of Azorean bivalve shells has revealed that, overall, each species is only ~50% the shell length size of Mediterranean conspecifics. Thus, although Azorean bivalve size may be a consequence of decreasing latitude (Bergmann's Rule), the islands are located at approximately the same latitude as the Mediterranean (and are influenced by those waters) where larger conspecifics occur. Hence, the main reason for bivalve dwarfism in the archipelago appears to result from low oceanic productivity (Foster's Rule). This, in turn, is associated with low diversity, possibly resulting from past extinctions and isolation, and low population sizes, except for Ervilia castanea, which here overwhelmingly occupies higher-energy inshore habitats and associated higher productivities. Nevertheless, this species too is dwarfed by mainland conspecifics. Similarly, the introduced Venerupis decussata, found solely within the lagoonal environment of Fajã de Santo Cristo on São Jorge, is somewhat smaller than its mainland conspecifics, although it is abundant enough to warrant artisanal exploitation. This study therefore, supports Foster's Rule and argues for the role of nutrient deficiency in regulating Azorean species richness and individual maximum size. In waters of locally higher productivities, however, population densities increase, but not size.

Keywords

AzoresBergmann's RuleFoster's Ruleisland biogeographydwarfismocean productivity
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 94 , Issue 3 , May 2014 , pp. 567 - 578
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2013 

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