Abstract

This study was carried out to describe the growth of Ruditapes philippinarum on Chohwa and Toksan tidal flat in Kwangyang Bay, from June 1994 to July 1995. On the Chohwa tidal flat, the mean gran size, organic content and chlorophyll-a of the surface sediment were the range of 2.50-4.46 , 4.99-5.11%, 14.53-19.90 <TEX>$\mu\textrm{g}$</TEX> cm<TEX>$\^$</TEX>-3/, and on the Toksan tidal flat, 0.83-1.66 , 2.22-2.34%, 6.20-6.90 <TEX>$\mu\textrm{g}$</TEX> cm<TEX>$\^$</TEX>-3/, respectively. The shell length of R. philippinarum increased rapidly from spring to summer, and gently from summer to autumn, and ceased during winter. Fresh weight increased during spring and autumn, and decreased during summer and winter. condition factors also showed the same variations of weights. Synthesized annual growth pattern of 4 year classes in shell length fitted the von Bertalnffy growth model well. The annual growth of weight fitted the Gompertz model relatively well. The values of w, initial shell growth rate, and AGR<TEX>$\sub$</TEX>max/, maximum weight growth rate, on the Chohwa tidal flat were lower than those on the Toksan tidal flat. Comparing the growth patterns in the same tidal flat, growth rate was higher on the lover tidal flat than those on the higher tidal flat. In conclusion, the Chohwa tidal flat maintaining higher density showed lover growth rate, because of relatively insufficient food supply and inhabiting space.