Growth patterns of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum in each tidal level were studied in the intertidal zone in Tae-an on the west coast of South Korea from April to August 2009. Environmental factors and the specimens of R. philippinarum were monthly collected at three intertidal locations: low intertidal zone, low-middle intertidal zone and middle intertidal zone. Temperature of sediment in low intertidal zone were lower than those in other intertidal locations. Concentrations of Chl-α were not significantly different between in each tidal level. Exposure hours in low intertidal zone were shorter than those in other intertidal locations. Density of each year class in low intertidal zone were higher than those in low-middle intertidal zone and middle intertidal zone. Growth factors of R. philippinarum in low intertidal zone were better than those in other intertidal locations. The growth rate of under one year class individuals of low intertidal zone were higher than those in low-middle intertidal zone and middle intertidal zone, before the main recruitment period of R. pilippinarum. Although the growth patterns of R. philippinarum may be affected by various environmental factors, we suggests that the exposure duration is the main affect in the growth patterns of R. philippinarum in intertidal zone.
