Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2013.185.189Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) from the Volta Estuary, Ghana]]>ObirikorangK.A. Adjei-BoatengD. MadkourH.A. AmisahS. OtchereF.A. 42013164The length-weight relationship of the threatened freshwater clam, Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) from the Volta Estuary, Ghana was studied over a two-year period, from March 2008 to February 2010, to aid in the development of stock assessment models for the sustainable management of the remaining clam stock. Data reported in this study were collected at monthly intervals and covered varying depths of the Estuary ranging from 0.5 to about 10 m. Overall, a total of 5276 clams with shell lengths ranging from 3.40 to 89.24 mm and total weight from 0.10 to 154.00 g were sampled during the study period. The length-weight relationships were highly significant (p<0.0001) for all the months and the b-values ranged from 2.023 (January 2010) to 3.874 (June 2009). The calculated b-values indicated that clams exhibited different growth patterns at different periods but overall, the pooled samples of 5276 individuals exhibited an isometric growth pattern (b = 3.003). The observed monthly growth patterns exhibited by G. paradoxa appeared to be largely influenced by the reproductive cycle of the organism. During the periods leading to spawning, the clams generally exhibited positive allometric growth patterns (weight increasing faster than length) which appeared to be strongly linked to the build-up of proteins and carbohydrates in their tissues. Successive negative allometric growth patterns (length increasing faster relative to weight) were, however, observed from March to June 2008 and from December 2009 to February 2010, which are possibly indicative of the loss in tissue weight that occurs as a direct result of the spawning process. It will thus be suitable to institute a close season to coincide with the spawning period of the clams to avoid the harvesting of clams during the spawning period which will enhance future recruitment of the clam stock.]]>Adjei-Boateng, D., K.A. Obirikorang, S. Amisah, H.A. Madkour and F.A. Otchere,201187626632Agbeko, A.N.,2010Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) fishery.]]>2010Akester, R.J. and A.L. Martel,2000Mytilus trossulus correlate with wave exposure.]]>78240253Alunno-Bruscia, M., E. Bourget and M. Frechette,2001Mytilus edulis in an experimental food-regulated situation.]]>219177188Amador, M.K.,1997Egeria radiata fishery in the Lower Volta.]]>1997Blay, J.,1989Aspatharia sinuate (Unionacea, Mutelidae) in Nigeria.]]>30365372Buddensiek, V.,1995Margaritifera margaritifera L. in cages: A contribution to conservation programmes and the knowledge of habitat requirements.]]>743340Claxton, W.T., A.B. Wilson, G.L. Mackie and E.G. Boulding,1998Dreissena bugensis.]]>7612691276Hinch, S.G. and R.C. Bailey,1988Elliptio complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from south-central Ontario lakes.]]>1572732Erzini, K.,1994101741Etim, L., E.R. Akpan and P. Muller,1991Egeria radiata (Bivalvia: Tellinacea: Donacidae) from the Cross River, Nigeria.]]>24327333Fuiman, L.A., J.D. Gage and P.A. Lamont,1999Ledella pustulosa in the Rockall Trough, north-east Atlantic.]]>79661671Galstoff, P.,1964Crassostrea virginica.]]>641480Gaspar, M.B., M.N. Santos, P. Vasconcelos and C.C. Monteiro,20024777380Karayucel, S. and I. Karayucel,2000Mytilus edulis L.).]]>31893899King, M.,20072nd Edn.,Pages: 382Pages: 382Kovitvadhi, S., U. Kovitvadhi, P. Sawangwong, A. Thongpan and J. Machado,2006496170Lajtner, J., Z. Marusic, G.I.V. Klobucar, I. Maguire and R. Erben,2004Dreissena polymorpha in the Drava river (Croatia).]]>59595600LaTouche, Y.D. and M.C. Mix,1982132729Morato, T., P. Afonso, P. Lourinho, J.P. Barreiros, R.S. Santos and R.D.M. Nash,200150297302Moses, B.S.,1990Egeria radiata (Lamarck) (Lamellibranchia, Donacidae) in the Cross River system, Nigeria.]]>196115Newell, C.R. and H. Hidu,1982Mya arenaria (L.).]]>65285295Ofori-Danson, P.K. and C. Amoah,2007Galatea paradoxa (Born, 1778) in the Lower Volta River.]]>2007Paez-Osuna, P., M.G. Frias-Espericueta and J.I. Osuna-Lopez,1995Crassostrea iridescens.]]>401931Ricker, W.E.,197330409434Spiegel, M.R.,1991Pages: 358Pages: 358Wilbur, K.M. and G. Owen,19641964pp: 211-242pp: 211-242