Abstract

The distribution and density of the pen shell, Atrina (Servatrina) pectinata japonica, were investigated to estimate population ecological parameters and biomass. Samples were collected during cruises from April to June 1999 in the coastal waters of Chungchung-namdo, Korea. The oceanographic conditions such as depth, temperature, transparency and suspended solids were measured from sampling stations. Seawater depth ranged from 3.9 m to 75.9 m and the mean was 28.5 m (SE = 0.97). The mean density of the pen shell was higher in the depth of 18.0-30.8 m. The water temperature of the bottom ranged from 7.0-21.5$^{\circ}C$ and the mean was 14.$0^{\circ}C$. The transparency ranged from 1.2-13.5 m and the mean was 4.8 m. The suspended solids ranged from 6.0-93.5 mg/l and the mean was 48.0 mg/l. The sand proportion of the sediment was > 50%. The mean densities of the pen shell by sediment type were 7.3 individuals/40 m$^2$ (SE = 2.16) in the sand, 5.6 individuals/40 m$^2$ (SE = 1.48) in the muddy sand, 3.0 individuals/40 m$^2$(SE = 1.89) in the sandy mud, and none in the mud. The sandy bottom, accounting for 29.8% of the overall habitat area, had a maximum density of 7.3 individuals/40 m$^2$.