SOME POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BIVALVES OF THE PONGOLO RIVER FLOODPLAIN

Abstract

Estimates of the density, structure and standing crop of populations of the freshwater bivalve molluscs Caelatura framesi, Aspatharia wahlbergi and Corbicula africana on the Pongolo River floodplain were made from the samples of shells stranded in the mud of several lakes during the recent drought. Where possible these estimates were compared to data from sampling prior to the drought. Evidence is presented indicating that recruitment success on the floodplain varies both temporally and from lake to lake.