Geoff Read wrote:
> ... a scatter plot that looks like it will have abysmal predictive
> power. [etc]
In contrast for seep clams in a related habitat:
Barry, J. P.; Kochevar, R. E. 1998: A tale of two clams: differing
chemosynthetic life styles among vesicomyids in Monterey Bay cold
seeps. Cahier de Biologie Marine 39(3-4): 329-331.
These authors produced a stunningly accurate match of von Bertalanffy
growth curves with size increments for Calyptogena kilmeri and C.
pacifica based on mark and replace. They concluded C. pacifica
requires 60-150 years to approach a maximum size. Note the range
despite the superb precision of the fitted graph.
They did not, however, claim any longevity records (& I note Myle's
O'Reilly's posting re Ocean Quahog Clam suggested age, and the various
other postings where animals have been aged directly from isotopes,
etc).
I have no idea why cold seep vestimentiferans do not make nice regular
growth increments on their tubes. But, as they don't, maybe age
estimates from tube data should not be regarded as cast-in-stone-tablet
facts?
With that I should probably give it a rest for now.
--
Geoff Read <gread at actrix.gen.nz>
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