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Experimental cultures of giant lion’s paw nodipecten subnodosus in equatorial waters of the eastern pacific: Progress in larval development and suspended culture

Abstract:

The bivalve Nodipecten subnodosus is one of the largest scallop species and has been selected as an appropriate species for mariculture, adapting the culture technology for production in equatorial waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. A study of its larval development was performed, comparing standard technology with different treatments in terms of larval density (two and four larvae mL-1), temperature (24, 27, and 29ºC), photoperiod limitation (darkness) and antibiotic treatment (Florfenicol 1.2 mg L-1). The juveniles obtained (11 mm) were transplanted to suspended culture in Ayangue Bay, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador. Results show suboptimal larval cultures, probably due to water quality. The only treatment that produced competent larvae for metamorphosis (>50% larvae with eyespot) was the darkness treatment after 18 days when the larvae reached 193.4 ± 15.69 μm in length with 33±1.48% survival. However, growth rate (6.2 μm d-1) was also lower than that reported for the N. subnodosus. Juveniles in intermediate culture showed the highest growth rates so far reported for the species (9.3 mm month-1) and reached 64 mm in eight months. The rapid growth in suspended culture conditions with the estimation of >55% survival, suggest N. subnodosus as an emerging species for the diversification of aquaculture in Ecuador.