A global database of marine bivalve growth rates and parameters derived from von bertalanffy growth curves

The growth rates of bivalves are a commonly measured physiological characteristic, and have regularly been reported through the parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model. Here, we provide a comprehensive database of measured values of growth rates from the scientific literature (1930 - 2019). Our data represents 243 species of bivalve from 44 families and all biogeographic realms. We provide metadata relating to the source, mean bottom temperature, geographic locations, particulate organic carbon flux to seafloor, and calculated overall growth performance. Data from species reared artificially for aquaculture have been excluded from this database, so our data only represent natural in situ populations. The dataset provides an opportunity to critically examine relationship between growth rates, temperature, and geography. This contributes to a globally coherent understanding of how physiological parameters change across wide biogeographic boundaries, and how they may respond to climate change.