Zygochlamys patagonica beds on the Argentinian shelf. Part I: Energy flow through the scallop bed community

The scallop bank, "Reclutas", on the Argentinian shelf was sampled on two o ccasions, first, some months after initial settlement of the scallop Zygach lamys patagonica (1995) and again, 4 years later (1998). Z, patagonica alre ady dominated the epibenthic community (33 species) in 1995, contributing 2 6% to community biomass (2.85 g C.m(-2)) and 40% to community production (0 .75 g C.m(-2).y(-1); 95% confidence interval: 0.63 to 0.89 g). In 1998, bot h community biomass (4.64 g C.m(-2)) and production (1.33 g C.m(-2).y(-1); 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 1.57 g) were higher, and the proportion of Z. patagonica rose to > 60% for both.