Morphometric analyses of a Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814)(Bivalvia : Pteriidae) population in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

Five biometric parameters (shell height, shell length, nacreous height, nacreous width and hinge length) were measured for two populations of Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) within shallow coastal waters of the Maltese Islands, in the central Mediterranean Sea, as part of a demographic study of the species. In terms of shell height, both populations consisted mainly of small to moderate individuals. Regression analyses between these parameters were carried out, resulting in moderate to high correlations between all parameters except for hinge length. The study represents the first attempt at morphometric characterization of populations of a non-indigenous bivalve in Maltese coastal waters.