MONTHLY CHANGES IN MUSSEL SPAT (AULACOMYA ATRA ATRA MOLINA) SETTLEMENT ON ARTIFICIAL COLLECTORS IN THE SAN JOSE GULF, ARGENTINA.

Abstract

The monthly settlement of mussel spat (Aulacomya atra atra Molina) on collectors, in the San José Gulf (Argentina, 42°20' S, 64°30’ W) and the biofouling developed on them, were analyzed. The col lector type used, of 1 m length, was a net of 11.02 mm of mesh size, cut into strips of 0.30 m in width. The collectors were inmersed for 2 months, from September 1987 to August 1989. Juveniles settled throughout the year, with a period of máximum settlement in spring. During the period of study the mean length of plantigrades was <2 mm. The biofouling showed a maximun settlement on the substraía in spring and summer.