Determination of age and growth ofBuccinum undatum L. (Gastropoda) off Douglas,Isle of Man

Age and growth ofBuccinum undatum off Douglas (Isle of Man, U.K.) were studied using four independent methods: length-frequency analyses (LFA), operculum analysis (OA), markrecapture experiment (MRE) and laboratory rearing (LR). Within the 16-month period between February 1989 and June 1990, only the January 1990 sample showed histograms allowing possible age group determination. Among the several length frequency analyses applied to this sample, the growth analysis program MIX calculated thatBuccinum reaches mean lengths of 28.5, 45.8, 59.9, 71.5 and 81.0 mm at the end of its first, second, third, fourth and fifth year, respectively, with an asymptotic length (L_∞) of 123.8 mm and Brody growth coefficient (K) of 0.20. Whilst the results from the LFA were supported by those from the OA and the MRE, growth in the laboratory differed; however, this was expected. Both K and L values found in this study are higher than those in two previous studies undertaken forBuccinum in northeastern England and northern France.