Recruitment to the macrobenthos of Macomona liliana (bivalvia: Tellinidae) in Manukau Harbour,New Zealand

The population biology of the wedge shell Macomona liliana (Iredale, 1915) was studied at six sites on intertidal sandflats in Manukau Harbour over 2 years. Differences were found in the densities of bivalves between sites, and at each site large seasonal fluctuations in densities were also observed. Within‐site density fluctuations were mainly the result of changes in the numbers of juveniles (< 5 mm long). Length‐frequency distributions were dominated by a single mode associated with new recruits. The only major inter‐site difference was the scarcity of large bivalves at one site. Recruitment to the macrobenthos occurred over an extended period (summer to late winter or spring), but with markedly different levels of recruitment in the two successive years. Length‐frequency plots indicated that growth in the first year was 2–3 mm. The possible involvement of hydrodynamics, inter‐ and intraspecific interactions, and pollution on recruitment, and the importance of mortality and migration to post‐settlement survival are discussed.