Temporal coincidence of the annual eelgrass Zostera marina and juvenile scallops Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby II, 1842) in Bahia Concepcion, Mexico

The possibility that meadows of annual eelgrass Zostera marina L. in Bahia Concepcion serve as a nursery habitat for Pacific calico scallop Argopecten ventricosus has been evaluated. Scallop reproduction occurs mainly in the coldest season of the year, just when annual eelgrass is present. In this study, it was observed that the highest abundance of pectinid larvae war in early March, and scallop spat on artificial collectors was higher in late March. The highest above-ground biomass of eelgrass occurred between February and April and declined in May, just when scallops detach themselves from substrata and settle to the bottom. Our results indicate a high coincidence in timing of the analyzed processes and suggest the possibility that eelgrass beds could be used as nursery grounds by Pacific calico scallop.