The first molluscan TCTP in Venerupis philippinarum: Molecular cloning and expression analysis

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is one of the abundant and ubiquitously expressed proteins in metazoans In the present study, the first molluscan TCTP (denoted as VpTCTP) was identified from Venerupis philippinarum haemocytes by EST and RACE approaches The full-length cDNA of VpTCTP consisted of 1148 nucleotides with an open-reading frame of 555 bp encoding 184 amino acids The deduced amino acid sequence of VpTCTP shared high similarity with TCTPs from other species, indicating that VpTCTP should be a new member of TCTP family Several highly conserved motifs, including 5'terminal ologopyrimidine (5'TOP) starting sequence and rich AU and AUUT elements in 3'UTR, were also identified in VpTCTP The tissue and temporal expression of VpTCTP after Vi boo anguillarum challenge was recorded by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. VpTCTP transcript could be detected in all examined tissues with the highest expression level in haemocytes and the lowest in hepatopancreas Concerning the time-course expression in haemocytes, the relative expression of VpTCTP mRNA was down-regulated sharply from 6 h to 12 h post-infection. Then, the expression level was obviously up-regulated and reached 3.4-fold to that in the control group at 48 h post challenge As time progressed, the expression of VpTCTP recovered to the original level at 96 h. All these results indicated that VpTCTP was an acute-phase protein involved in the Immune response of V philippinarum (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estudio de genes diferencialmente expresados en función del sexo, en la almeja japonesa (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Muchos bivalvos tienen un sistema de herencia mitocondrial que exceptúa la norma general de herencia maternal (SMI). En la almeja Ruditapes philippinarum, entre otras, se da la herencia uniparental doble (DUI) de manera que coexisten dos linajes de ADN mitocondrial: el linaje paternal (M) que se transmite de padres a hijos a través del esperma, y el linaje maternal (F) que se transmite de madres a toda la descendencia a través de los óvulos. De esta manera, las hembras serán homoplásmicas para el genoma F y los machos heteroplásmicos, mostrando principalmente genoma M en tejidos somáticos, y genoma F solo en tejidos somáticos en menor medida. Se ha propuesto que el sistema DUI evolucionó del SMI, y que está regulado por factores genéticos nucleares codificados por la hembra. En el contexto de un estudio sobre las características de este sistema en R. philippinarum se ha secuenciado el transcriptoma en muestras de varios tejidos de individuos adultos y las secuencias obtenidas se han alineado a genomas mitocondriales de referencia M y F. Sobre la base de estos resultados se han calculado ratios que reflejan la expresión de ambos genomas en los diferentes tejidos de los adultos, diferenciando entre machos y hembras. Dichas ratios han sido ponderadas con las proporciones corporales de 10 individuos adultos que fueron diseccionados con esa finalidad. Se confirman los patrones de distribución de ambos genomas, aunque las hembras han resultado ser heteroplásmicas con existencia de genoma M en sus tejidos somáticos y los machos heteroplásmicos en todos sus tejidos incluyendo la gónada. Dado que el sexo de R. philippinarum solo se puede determinar mediante métodos estándares cuando los individuos presentan gónadas, una aplicación de estos resultados ha sido la puesta a punto de un sistema de determinación del sexo en individuos sexualmente inmaduros, diferenciando entre individuos de crecimiento bajo (S) y alto (F). El método diseñado para determinar el sexo de los individuos juveniles ha resultado exitoso y en consecuencia se ha podido calcular la ratio sexual de los individuos S con un resultado de 0,39.

菲律宾蛤(Ruditapes philippinarum)生理能量学的研究

本研究在实验室内采用静水系统以典型滤食性贝类菲律宾蛤仔为实验对象，从生理生态学的角度研究了体重和环境因子对菲律宾蛤仔摄食生理活动的影响，探讨了滤食性贝类的摄食机制和贝类本身对环境的适应性。同时，对蛤仔的碳代谢和能量收支进行了研究，建立了不同温度和饵料浓度下的能量收支方程。实验的主要结果如下：1．温度的影响在9±0.1℃，16±0.5℃，22±0.2℃，26±0.6℃四个温度下对菲律宾蛤仔的滤食率FR、清滤率CR、吸收率AE进行了测定。结果表明：在9-22℃温度范围内蛤仔滤食率、清滤率、吸收率均随温度的升高而增大，在22℃达到最大值，并且各温度间差异显著(ANOVA，P<0．05)。当温度达到26℃时，滤食率、清滤率、吸收率均有所下降，但和22℃值相比较差异并不显著(ANOVA，P>0．2)。这表明蛤仔生长的最适温度应当在22℃左右。对不同体重蛤仔的实验表明小个体蛤仔比大个体对温度有更高的敏感性。碳最小需求量MCR、生长余力(SFG)和生长效率均受温度的显著影响，在较低温度下(9℃)SFG出现负值。经计算9℃，16℃，22℃，26℃下的能量收支方程分别为：2．体重的影响蛤仔摄食率、清滤率、呼吸率都随个体体重的增加而增大，它们之间呈幂函数关系Y=aX~b(b值均小于1)；而单位体重的摄食率、清滤率、呼吸率随个体体重的增加而减小。吸收率和体重无明显的相关性，体重对生长效率无显著影响。蛤仔的碳最小需求量MCR、生长余力均和软体部干重呈幂函数关系Y=aX~b，b值在实验的四个温度下分别为0．43±0．12和0,78±0．09。3．饵料浓度的影响在实验的饵料浓度范围内(2．33-6．15mgPOM／L)，水温15℃，蛤仔摄食率和清滤率随着饵料浓度的增加而增大，呈幂函数关系(y=aX~b)。当饵料浓度达到一定值后，清滤率迅速下降，而摄食率只略微有所下降，基本上保持平稳不变。这说明蛤仔可以通过调节清滤率来稳定其摄食率，对环境具有生理适应性。蛤仔吸收率与饵料浓度无显著的相关性，不同饵料浓度其吸收率始终保持在57．93±2．94％左右。水温15℃，投喂小球藻的条件下，计算得出蛤仔(壳长3．53±0．02cm、软体部干重0．41±0．02g)产生假粪的饵料阈值为2.16mgPOM／L。饵料浓度对蛤仔生产碳有明显的影响，在实验的饵料范围内生产碳随着饵料浓度的增加而增加，在低浓度饵料时，生产碳出现负值。蛤仔的SFG随饵料浓度的增加而增加，在1．54±0．12mgPOM／L时蛤仔的生长余力出现负值。实验发现摄食能随温度变化显著而代谢能变化相对不明显，这表明对蛤仔生长来说饵料浓度可能是比温度更重要的环境因子。16℃投喂小球藻时蛤仔在不同饵料浓度下的能量收支方程为：4．底质的影响温度为17℃，饵料为三角褐指藻、浓度为2．87±1．07mgPOM／L(无假粪产生)。实验测定蛤仔在铺砂以后，摄食率和清滤率都增加了大约2倍，差异极显著(ANOVA，P<0．01)。实验中对蛤仔的吸收率也进行了对比研究。结果表明：铺砂组蛤仔的吸收率比未铺砂组提高了10．71士4．57％，经单因子方差检验铺砂和未铺砂时蛤仔吸收率差异显著(ANOVA，P<0．05)。实验表明底质对蛤仔摄食生理和代谢有显著的影响，这和实际生产中发现底质对蛤仔生长有明显影响是一致的。

菲律宾蛤仔（Ruditapes philippinarum）对胶州湾生态环境影响的现场研究

本文对我国胶州湾养殖的主要滤食性贝类菲律宾蛤仔的生理生态学进行了系统研究，通过资料收集、现场调查、定点连续观测、现场模拟实验等综合性方法探讨了菲律宾蛤仔养殖对胶州湾生态环境的影响。主要系统调查了不同季节胶州湾自然沉积物中C、N和P的变化；研究了菲律宾蛤仔生物沉积作用的周年变化；同时还研究了不同月份菲律宾蛤仔的耗氧率，排泄率的变化。结果如下: 1、综述了滤食性贝类通过滤食、生物沉积和呼吸排泄等作用对海区环境的影响,系统评述了埋栖性贝类生物沉积的测定方法及其生态效应。国际上已有不少研究专门报道了贝类在海区现场的生物沉积作用，而在我国，关于埋栖性贝类生物沉积特征的研究较少。 2、在胶州湾红岛附近养殖海区，从2003年10月到2004年7月以及2005年8月到2005年12月对菲律宾蛤仔生物沉积进行了现场测定。大、中和小规格菲律宾蛤仔生物沉积速率范围分别为121.6～1527.4mg/ind·d，49.5～902.1mg/ind·d，14.2～653.9mg/ind·d。海底自然沉积物OM分别为3.1％和5.7±1.1％。而大、中和小规格菲律宾蛤仔生物沉积物的OM分别为6.2±1.2％、5.9±1.3％和6.1±1.4％。大、中和小菲律宾蛤仔生物沉积物TP含量分别为399±26ppm，372±16ppm，345±15ppm。大、中和小规格蛤子生物沉积物中的OP分别为80±17ppm，92±12ppm和102±10ppm，明显高于对照沉积物的OP。生物沉积物中的OP/TP要明显高于对照沉积物，前者为23～25％，而后者仅为20％。菲律宾蛤仔生物沉积速率呈明显季节性变化，其与软体干重呈异速方程关系，a值的变化范围为0.85～4.50（平均为2.32）。菲律宾蛤仔贝肉的OC和ON含量分别为40.80±7.59％和的10.26±2.19％。贝壳的OM、TP、OP、OC和ON含量分别为3.28±0.47%、109.2±16.6ppm、64±22.9ppm、12.21±0.30％和0.19±0.05％。 3、不同规格菲律宾蛤仔的代谢率呈明显季节变化。7月份，单位个体菲律宾蛤仔耗氧率最高为1.72 g/ind•h；8月份，排氨率和排磷率达到最高，分别为2.44μmol/ind•h、0.58μmol/ind•h。菲律宾蛤仔的O:N在10.7~31.9范围内，O:N和N:P具有明显的季节变化，8月份最大。 4、研究了本湾底质环境特征，测定了自然沉积物的OM、OC、ON、TP和OP的含量。胶州湾站位沉积物的有机质和C、N、P含量季节变化不大，有机质含量大约为3.5％，OC和ON含量大约为0.7％和0.06％。TP含量为285ppm左右，OP含量大约为50ppm。养殖海区沉积物有机质和C、N、P的含量明显高于非养殖海区沉积物含量，其C/N、C/OP和OP/TP一般也比非养殖海区站位高。 夏季，胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔养殖区（平均密度按600ind/m2计算）单位面积（m2）的生物沉积速率平均为176g/m2•d，对于整个海湾，将有1.2万吨的悬浮颗粒物通过贝类排粪作用沉积到海底。通过菲律宾蛤仔的呼吸作用，单位面积（m2）的耗氧量为6.67gO2/m2•d；同时从海底向水体释放大约为16.7μmolN /m2•d和3.3μmolP/m2•d的溶解态N和P；对于整个海湾，菲律宾蛤仔将耗掉水体中的467T/d氧气，同时向水体中释放16.4T/d氨氮和7.2T/d无机磷。对于半封闭的胶州湾，大规模菲律宾蛤仔的滩涂养殖其产生的生物沉积物聚集于海底可能会对海区底部的物理化学和生物环境产生很大影响；而氧的消耗、氨和无机磷的排泄，会对水层中的物理化学环境和营养盐循环产生很大影响。从而由此推测，菲律宾蛤仔高密度大规模的养殖，在整个胶州湾水层－底栖系统耦合作用中可能起着很重要的作用。

菲律宾蛤仔（Ruditapes philippinarum)能量代谢的研究

能量代谢指动物在进行生理活动(如摄食、消化以及动物的活动等)时所消耗能量的总和，一般以动物的呼吸率利排泄率来估计动物的能量代谢。其主要研究内容是闸明生物能量代谢的基木规律以及与环境闪子的关系。菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapesphil ippmarum)是我国一种重要的养殖贝类，关于其能量代谢的研究却较少，这种状况妨碍了菲律宾蛤仔养殖生态理论的完善和养殖技术的提高。本研究主要对菲律宾蛤仔呼吸率和排泄率的基本规律(能量代谢与体重的关系、能量代谢的昼夜变化)及其与环境因子(饵料浓度、水温、栖息底质环境)的关系进行探讨。研究结果如下：1．不同体重菲律宾蛤仔代谢率小同。实验川菲律宾蛤仔分三种大小：l(干肉重为0．07-0．14g)、ll(干肉重0．27-0．34g)、III(干肉重0．45～0．63g)。温度包括：26℃(八月)、20℃(十月)、1 5℃(十二月)、9℃(一月)。实验共设四个饵料浓度：2．28±0．25，6．454±0．44，10．284±0．82，15．414±1．56mgTPM／L(TPM，总颗粒物)，饵料中POM(颗粒有机物)含量都为4．68±1．64 mg/L。常温下菲律宾蛤仔代谢率随着体重的增大而增大。15℃、20~C、26℃时蛤仔呼吸率与干肉重呈明显的幂函数关系R=aW~b，a值变动范围为0．1076-0．3309；b值变动范围为0．239l～0．8381；蛤仔排泄率与干肉重也呈明显的幂函数关系N=aW~b，a值变动范围为14．213～68．362：b值变动范围为0．3673-1．1 532。9℃(饵料浓度为2．28±0．25mgTPM／L)、20℃(饵料浓度为10．284-0．82mgTPM／L)、26℃(饵料浓度为6．454±0．44mgTPM／L)时不同体重蛤仔氧氮比差异显著，其它情况下不同体重蛤仔氧氮比差异不显著。2．常温下菲律宾蛤仔代谢率受饵料浓度的影响，不同大小蛤仔受饵料浓度的影响程度不同。I组蛤仔呼吸率受饵料浓度的显著影响，II组III组蛤仔呼吸率只在9℃(一月)和26~C(八月)时受饵料浓度的显著影响。26℃时影响最显著，26℃时I组蛤仔在饵料浓度为2．28±0．25，6．45±0．44，l0．28±0．82，15．4l±1．56mgTPM／L时呼吸率分别是O．086，0．146，0．073，0．093(mlO_2／h)；ll组蛤仔在上述浓度饵料中呼吸率分别是0．138，0．214，0．J 26，0．12l(mlO_2／h);III组蛤仔在上述浓度饵料中呼吸率分别是0．129，0．266，0．186，0．192(mlO_2／h)。菲律宾蛤仔呼吸率在饵料浓度为6．45±0．44 mgTPM／L时最高，蛤仔呼吸率在其它饵料浓度时都会降低。菲律宾蛤仔排泄率在饵料浓度为10．28±0．82 mgTPM／L和15．4l士1．56mgTPM／L时显著高于其它浓度组，9℃时这种趋势更明显，9℃时饵料浓度为2．28±0．25，6．454±044，lO．284±0．82，15．41±1．56mgTPM／L中I组蛤仔排泄率分别是4．297，2．874，8．003，6．658(μgNH_3-N／h)；II组蛤仔在上述浓度饵料中排泄率分别是4．011，3．609，10．427，12．732(μgNH_3-N／h)；III组蛤仔在上述浓度饵料中排泄率分别是2．28 l，6．452，10．283，15．417(μgNH_3-N／h)。3．菲律宾蛤仔代谢率受自然温度的显著影Ⅱ向。I组蛤仔在9℃、15℃、20℃、26℃时呼吸率平均为0．057，0．085，0．039，O．099；II组蛤仔在上述四个温度中呼吸率平均为0．08，O．128，0．089，0．149(mlO_2／h)，I组和II组蛤仔在9℃和20~C时呼吸率较低，在26℃时呼吸率最高。III组蛤仔在上述四个温度中呼吸率平均为0．09，O．1 59，O．143，O．193(mlO_2／h)，在9℃时llI组蛤仔呼吸率显著低于其它温度组。温度为9℃、15℃、20℃、26℃时l组蛤仔排泄率平均为5．458，13．169，4．946，11．138(μgNH_3-N／h)：II组蛤仔在上述温度中排泄率平均为7．695，23．578，8．319，23．90l(μgNH_3-N／h)；III组蛤仔在上述温度中排泄率平均为11．738，27．443，15．658，35．407(μgNH_3-N／h)，蛤仔排泄率在15℃和26℃时均高于9℃和20℃。4．摄食状态与饥饿状态菲律宾蛤仔代谢率有明显不同。26℃时蛤仔静止状态呼吸率平均为0．336(m102／g干重．h)，摄食状态呼吸率平均为0．656(ml0_2干重．h)，摄食状态呼吸率比静止状态平均升高了0 32(ml0_2／g干重．h)；26℃时蛤仔静止状态排泄率平均为39．471(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)，摄食状态排泄率平均为88．08(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)，摄食状态排泄率比静止状态排泄率平均升高了48．6(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)。摄食状态代谢率平均是静止状态的2～3倍。根据摄食引起的呼吸率和排泄率升高量得出每氧化产生lμgNH_3-N需0_2量平均为7．05μl。5．人工控制温度对菲律宾蛤仔代谢率有明显影响。不同大小蛤仔受温度的影响程度不同。在温度5℃、10℃、l 5℃、20℃、26℃，I组和II组蛤仔呼吸率都随着温度的升高而升高，在10℃～l5℃和20℃～26℃这二个温度变化范围内呼吸率变化最大，在20℃～26℃时I组蛤仔呼吸率变动范围为O．85～1．04(m10_2／g干重．h)、II组蛤仔变动范围为0．57～0．86(ml0_2／g干重．h)。III组蛤仔呼吸率只在5℃～l0℃时明显增高，变动范围为0．09～0．5l(m10_2／g干重．h)，在10℃～26℃范围内变化不大。I组和II组蛤仔排泄率随着温度的升高而升高，变动幅度较大，在5℃～26℃范围内其排泄率变动范围为10．32～81．53(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)；而 III组蛤仔排泄率只在5℃～15℃时随着温度的升高而升高，其排泄率变动范围为6．75～23．77(μgNH_3-N/g干重．h)，在15℃～26℃范围内几乎不变。III组蛤仔的适温范围比I组和II组蛤仔广。菲律宾蛤仔在5℃和10℃时氧氮比变化明显，变动范围为2．76～11．44，在15～26℃时变化不大。6．菲律宾蛤仔代谢率有明显的日节律性，呈正弦曲线型变化。蛤仔夜问代谢率明显升高。I组蛤仔夜间呼吸率平均为0．867(m10_2／g干重．h)，白天呼吸率平均为O．504(m10_2／g干重．h)；II组蛤仔夜间呼吸率平均为0．438(m10_2／g干重．h)，白天呼吸率平均为0．36l(m102／g干重．h)；III组蛤仔夜间呼吸率平均为0．409(m10_2／g干重．h)，白天呼吸率平均为0．252(m102／g干重．h)。在22：00-23：00菲律宾蛤仔呼吸率最高。7．底质环境对菲律宾蛤仔的代谢率有明显影响。在饥饿状态下菲律宾蛤仔在泥沙底质中呼吸率平均为l 406(m10_2／g干重h)，在无泥沙环境中呼吸率平均为O．963(ml0_2／g干重．h)；摄食状态下菲律宾蛤仔在泥沙底质中呼吸率平均为1．59l(m102／g干重．h)，在无泥沙环境中呼吸率平均为1．115(m10_2／g干重．h)。在饥饿状态下菲律宾蛤仔在泥沙底质中排泄率平均为78．934(μgNH_3-N／g 干重．h)，在无泥沙环境巾排泄率平均为45．043(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)；摄食状态下菲律宾蛤仔在泥沙底质中排泄率平均为87．12l(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)，在无泥沙底质中排泄率平均为58．354(μgNH_3-N／g干重．h)。蛤仔在泥沙环境中呼吸率和排泄率都明显升高。

Accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) in Jiaozhou Bay, China

Accumulation and distributions of aliphatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were measured in tissues of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum collected from 5 sites in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China. The concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbon and PAHs ranged from 570 to 2 574 ng/gdw (gram dry weight) and from 276 to 939 ng/gdw, in the most and least polluted sites, respectively. The bio-accumulation of hydrocarbons and PAHs in the clams appeared to be selective. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were predominantly represented by short chain (< nC(23)) n-alkanes, suggesting that petroleum hydrocarbons were likely the major contamination source. The selective uptake of 3 and 4 ring PAHs, such as naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene, by the clams was probably related to the physiological and bio-kinetic processes that were energetically favorable for uptake of compounds with fewer rings. Accumulation of the metals Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Hg, and As in the clam tissues also showed high variability, ranging from 0.043 to 87 A mu g/gdw. Among the 7 detected metals, Zn, Cd, Cu, and As had a particularly high potential of accumulation in R. philippinarum. In general, a positive correlation was found between the tissue concentrations and sediment concentrations of hydrocarbons and of some metals. Our study suggests that moderate contamination with polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and low to moderate contamination with metals, currently exists for clam R. philippinarum in Jiaozhou Bay, in comparison with other regional studies. A long-term monitoring program is certainly needed for assessment of the potential ecological influence and toxicity of these contaminants of R. philippinarum in Jiaozhou Bay.

Investigation of heavy metals in sediments and Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum from Jiaozhou Bay, China

Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and sediments were collected bimonthly during 2007 at five locations in Jiaozhou Bay near Qingdao, China, to determine heavy metal concentrations and to assess the validation of R. philippinarum as a metal biomonitor. Concentrations of heavy metals in clam soft tissues ranged between 0.75 and 3.31, 0.89 and 15.20, 5.70 and 26.03, 52.12 and 110.33, 10.30 and 72.34, 9.64 and 28.60, and 3.15 and 52.75 mu g g (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) dry weight for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Ni, respectively. Most of the highest values occurred at the northeast bay and the lowest values occurred at the western part. Regarding seasonal variation, relatively high tissue metal concentrations were observed during October or December. A similar pattern was also found in habitat sediments. There was a strong correlation between the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Ni in soft tissues and surrounding sediments. It is indicated that R. philippinarum could be used as a biomonitor for heavy metal contamination in Jiaozhou Bay.

Trace metal concentrations in suspended particles, sediments and clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from Jiaozhou Bay of China

Suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments and clams were collected at three sites in Jiaozhou Bay to assess the magnitude of trace metal pollution in the area. Metal concentrations in SPM (Cu: 40.11-203; Zn: 118-447; Pb: 50.1-132; Cd: 0.55-4.39; Cr: 147.6-288; Mn: 762-1670 mu g/g), sediments (Cu: 17.64-34.26; Zn: 80.79-110; Pb: 24.57-49.59; Cd: 0.099-0.324; Cr: 41.6-88.1; Mn: 343-520 mu g/g) and bivalves (Cu: 6.41-19.76; Zn: 35.5-85.5; Pb: 0.31-1.01; Cd: 0.51-0.67; Mn: 27.45-67.6 mu g/g) are comparable to those reported for other moderately polluted world environments. SPM showed a less clear pattern. Metal concentrations in sediments displayed a clear geographical trend with values increasing with proximity to major urban centers. The clams (on dry weight) showed a complex pattern due to the variability introduced by age-related factors. Cd showed an apparent reverse industrial trend with higher concentrations in clams collected at distant stations. Zn, Pb and Mn showed no clear geographical pattern, whereas Cu increased in the clams collected in the most industrialized area. In addition, the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were calculated. The result indicated that the studied Ruditapes philippinarum in Jiaozhou Bay possessed different bioaccumulation capacities for Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn, and Cd, Zn had a relatively high assimilation of those metals from sediment particles. A significant relationship with clam age was observed for Zn (positive) and Cu (negative) suggesting different physiological requirements for both metals with age. Trace metal concentrations measured in the tissue of the investigated clam were in the range considered safe by the WHO for human use.

Effects of diet, stocking density, and environmental factors on growth, survival, and metamorphosis of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum larvae

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the effects of diet, stocking density, and environmental factors on growth, survival, and metamorphosis of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum larvae. These experiments examined the following factors: diet (Isochrysts spp., Chlorella spp., and a mixture of Isochrysis spp. and Chlorella spp. [ 1: 1 w/w]), stocking density (5, 10, 15, and 20 larvae ml(-1)), light intensity (un-shaded, partially shaded, and fully shaded), water filtration (unfiltered and sand-filtered), water exchange (50% and 100% once every other day, 25%, 50%, and 100% once daily; 50% and 100% twice daily), and the use of substrate (with and without sand as the substrate). Results indicated that Chlorella spp. could replace 50% of Isochrysis spp. as a food source for the Manila clam larvae without affecting growth, survival, and metamorphosis. Larval growth decreased significantly with increasing stocking density. A density of 5-10 larvae ml(-1) appeared to be optimal for normal growth of Manila clam larvae. Neither diet nor stocking density used in the study had a significant effect on larval survival. Under partially shaded (light intensity = 1000-5000 lx) and fully shaded (light intensity <500 lx) conditions, larval growth was significantly faster than under direct sunlight (un-shaded). A water exchange rate of 50% twice daily provided optimum larval growth. Larvae grew significantly faster in the unfiltered water than in the sand-filtered water. Using sand as the substrate in the culture system significantly depressed the metamorphosis rate. The type and particle size of sand used as the substrate did not significantly affect growth and metamorphosis rates of the larvae. (C) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.

A new three-phase culture method for Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, farming in northern China

Studies on reproduction, hatchery management, and culture of Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum were carried out in an attempt to optimize their culture conditions and techniques. Results from these studies led to the development of a three-phase culture method for Manila clam farming in northern China. The key components of the new method were: 1) early spawning and over-wintering indoors (greenhouse); 2) optimized larval culture conditions and techniques; 3) juvenile rearing in shallow, fertilized nursery ponds; 4) optimized stocking size and density and substrate for mudflat grow out. Broodstock were maturated indoors for a month from early April to early May. Primarily because of higher water temperatures in the greenhouse the clams spawned more than one month earlier than in the natural environment. From May to July, juveniles were reared for 1-2 months indoors to a size of 2.0-3.0 mm in shell length before being moved to outdoor, pre-disinfected, nursery ponds. Juveniles were then reared in the nursery ponds for one month to about 1.0 cm before being transferred to the mudflat for grow out. Juvenile clams in nursery ponds grew considerably faster than in the natural environment probably because of higher temperatures and more abundant natural food. During grow out, the clams were reared for 4-7 months until they reached a market size (3.0-3.3 cm). Juveniles produced after August were over-wintered in the greenhouse in which the water temperature was about 3 degrees C higher than that of the outdoor environment. Juveniles grew at an average rate of > 20 mu m day(-1), while in the natural environment no growth was observed during winter because of low temperatures. Juveniles in the greenhouse grew to 2-3 mm by the following March before being moved into outdoor nursery ponds. The three-phase culture method not only shortened the production period from spawn to market size from 24-36 months to about 10-14 months, but also prolonged the spawning season from 2 to 7 months, resulting in increased production of seed and market-size clams. Compared with the traditional method, the new method could increase the yield of market-size clams by 10-11 times, and increase the profit per ha mudflat by as much as 124 times and the profit per kg market-size clams produced by 13 times. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.