Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Ark shells are particle-feeding bivalve mollusks of the family Arcidae. Anadara spp. (local Fijian name: Kaikoso) is one group of the sub-tropical ark shells. Significant, long-term decline in the abundance and size, structure of cockles, a keystone species in the intertidal habitat, is likely to represent changes to the ecological structure and probable loss of ecosystem function. The abundance and distribution of Anadara Sp in the Nasese shore, Suva, Fiji were studied from August to December 2016. The line transects and quadrat methods were used to study the Anadara species abundance and distribution at the Nasese intertidal mudflats at four sites; FIRCA, FNU Nasese Campus, Suva Grammar School and Suva Park. The species density at FNU Nasese campus was the highest density whereas Suva Grammar School has the lowest density value. Since the site 2 (FNU Nasese Campus) has the highest number of species found within the site, it also has the higher density value of 168 m2. In this study, it was found that the abundances of the Anadara species at the Nasese shore are declining. It is suggested that resource management should be site-specific depending on the environmental conditions, apart from the general conservation strategy afforded by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

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