Agnès Cantin

Postgraduate Student

Contact Details

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Marine Biology

Research

Population dynamics and ecology of the mud cockles, Katelysia spp., with implications for its conservation
 

The conservation of a species requires the knowledge of its population attributes and ecological requirements. The mud cockle, Katelysia spp., is a commercially and recreationally harvested species under threat of being over-harvested. Three morphologically distinguishable species of Katelysia occur in South Australia (K. scalarina, K. rhytiphora, and K. peronii). This project aims to evaluate the ecological characteristics and also population dynamics of Katelysia spp. populations. Such an evaluation is important in understanding any changes that may arise to the bivalve’s population over time, as well as providing baseline data which have not yet been established for South Australia’s Katelysia spp. populations.
 

With these three con-generics it raises the question of how they can co-exist whilst sharing similar resources? Aspects of competition and niche differentiation will be investigated. In addition, I will also investigate the concept of phenotypic plasticity in the morphology of each Katelysia spp. In other bivalve species their feeding organs have been shown to alter size depending on the amount and quality of food present. This may give a further understanding of the co-existence between these three species. Overall, this project will employ an integrated approach to clarify how habitat requirements, distribution and abundance and population dynamics structure Katelysia spp. populations.

The Section Bank, Pt River, site of the main commercial harvest in SA
 

Harvesting is also undertaken in Coffin Bay
 

Katelysia peronii	Katelysia scalarina	Katelysia rhytiphora

Presentations

• Cantin, L.M.A. (2006). Population dynamics, conservation and management of the mud cockles, Katelysia spp. Invited seminar presented at the Australian Marine Science Association (SA) Symposium, Adelaide, September 2006.

Supervisors

A/Prof Sabine Dittmann

Dr Anthony Fowler (pdf) SARDI Aquatic Sciences

Dr Kirsten Benkendorff

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