Growth patterns and population dynamics of Chiton articulatus (Mollusca: Polyplacophora): A multi-decade study.

The edible chiton Chiton articulatus is a commercially important mollusk found in the rocky intertidal zones of the Mexican tropical Pacific. Despite the intense harvesting in Acapulco Bay, Mexico, knowledge of its growth patterns is limited, hindering the development of effective management strategies. This study investigated the growth dynamics of C. articulatus using a multi-model inference approach based on size structure data collected in four sampling periods covering four decades. Results revealed continuous recruitment throughout the year, contributing to population resilience. The species exhibited growth plasticity, highlighting its adaptive potential. We found complex temporal patterns influenced mainly by climatic events. The El Niño event sowed higher growth rates and lower asymptotic length, while La Niña events showed the opposite pattern. This research provides insights into the growth dynamics of C. articulatus, highlighting the need for holistic management strategies for this commercially important species in the face of environmental change.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Carlos Valencia Cayetano reports administrative support, equipment, drugs, or supplies, and statistical analysis were provided by Autonomous University of Guerrero - Campus Acapulco. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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