Aquatic Invasions (2017) Volume 12, Issue 2: 133–146 Open Access DOI: https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2017.12.2.02 © 2017 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2017 REABIC Research Article Age and growth of a highly successful invasive species: the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850) in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal) Paula Moura1, Lucía L. Garaulet2, Paulo Vasconcelos1,3, Paula Chainho2, José Lino Costa2,4 and Miguel B. Gaspar1,5,* 1Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA, I.P.), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305 Olhão, Portugal 2MARE – Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal 3Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 4Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal 5Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal *Corresponding author E-mail:
[email protected] Received: 3 November 2016 / Accepted: 4 May 2017 / Published online: 23 May 2017 Handling editor: Philippe Goulletquer Abstract The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850) was introduced in several regions worldwide where it is permanently established. In Portuguese waters, the colonisation of the Tagus Estuary by this invasive species coincided with a significant decrease in abundance of the native Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus, 1758). This study aimed to estimate the age and growth of the Manila clam, to compare the growth performance between R.