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Review

Review of Age Estimation Techniques and Growth Models for Shelled Organisms in Marine Animal Forests

by
Ömerhan Dürrani
1,
Çağdaş Can Cengiz
2,
Halyna Gabrielczak
3,4,
Esra Özcan
5,
Madona Varshanidze
6,
Genuario Belmonte
7,8 and
Kadir Seyhan
1,*
1
Sürmene Faculty of Marine Science, Karadeniz Technical University, 61530 Trabzon, Türkiye
2
Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, 07001 Antalya, Türkiye
3
Department of Water Quality, Institute of Marine Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 65076 Odesa, Ukraine
4
Department of Ecology and Vertabrate Zoology, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
5
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ankara, 06110 Ankara, Türkiye
6
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Biodiversity Department, National Environmental Agency, 0112 Tbilisi, Georgia
7
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies–DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
8
CoNISMa–Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(9), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091693
Submission received: 19 June 2025 / Revised: 14 August 2025 / Accepted: 22 August 2025 / Published: 2 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Biology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Marine shelled organisms exhibit diverse growth strategies shaped by species-specific traits and environmental conditions that critically influence their ecological roles, particularly within Marine Animal Forests (MAF), which are structurally complex habitats and biodiversity-rich habitats. This review compiles and compares empirical growth data for 16 bivalve and gastropod species across seven families, classified as full MAF contributors (Pinna nobilis, Flexopecten glaber, Pecten maximus, and Placopecten magellanicus), partial MAF contributors (Cerastoderma edule, C. glaucum, Chamelea gallina, Ruditapes philippinarum, Mercenaria mercenaria, Panopea generosa, Anadara kagoshimensis, A. inaequivalvis, and Tegillarca granosa), and ecologically relevant non-MAF species (Buccinum undatum, Hexaplex trunculus, and Rapana venosa). Age estimation methods included direct techniques, such as shell growth ring and opercular annulus analysis, alongside indirect approaches, such as length-frequency analysis, stable isotope profiling, and mark–recapture studies. Growth trajectories were modelled using von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) parameters to estimate the shell size from ages 1 to 4. Based on these estimates, species were categorised into slow, moderate, fast, and exceptional growth groups. These classifications were further explored through hierarchical clustering that grouped species according to their VBGF-derived growth values, revealing consistent and contrasting life history strategies. This comparative analysis should enhance the understanding of molluscan growth dynamics and support the conservation and management of MAF-associated ecosystems by informing restoration planning, guiding species selection, and contributing to evidence-based policy development.
Keywords: age determination; growth modelling; Marine Animal Forests; Pinna nobilis; Rapana venosa; shelled organisms; growth rates; von Bertalanffy growth function age determination; growth modelling; Marine Animal Forests; Pinna nobilis; Rapana venosa; shelled organisms; growth rates; von Bertalanffy growth function

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MDPI and ACS Style

Dürrani, Ö.; Cengiz, Ç.C.; Gabrielczak, H.; Özcan, E.; Varshanidze, M.; Belmonte, G.; Seyhan, K. Review of Age Estimation Techniques and Growth Models for Shelled Organisms in Marine Animal Forests. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13, 1693. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091693

AMA Style

Dürrani Ö, Cengiz ÇC, Gabrielczak H, Özcan E, Varshanidze M, Belmonte G, Seyhan K. Review of Age Estimation Techniques and Growth Models for Shelled Organisms in Marine Animal Forests. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2025; 13(9):1693. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091693

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dürrani, Ömerhan, Çağdaş Can Cengiz, Halyna Gabrielczak, Esra Özcan, Madona Varshanidze, Genuario Belmonte, and Kadir Seyhan. 2025. "Review of Age Estimation Techniques and Growth Models for Shelled Organisms in Marine Animal Forests" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 13, no. 9: 1693. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091693

APA Style

Dürrani, Ö., Cengiz, Ç. C., Gabrielczak, H., Özcan, E., Varshanidze, M., Belmonte, G., & Seyhan, K. (2025). Review of Age Estimation Techniques and Growth Models for Shelled Organisms in Marine Animal Forests. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(9), 1693. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091693

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