Naslov
The potential for aquaculture of the bearded horse mussel (Modiolus barbatus) and Noah’s Ark shell (Arca noae) in southern Croatia

Autori
Peharda, Melita ; Ezgeta-Balić, Daria ; Davenport, John ; Vrgoč, Nedo

Izvornik
Aquaculture International (0967-6120) 21 (2013), 3; 639-653

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
mortality; growth rate; feeding; zooplankton; bivalve larvae; Adriatic

Sažetak
To assess the potential of Modiolus barbatus and Arca noae for introduction to aquaculture, we analyzed their survival and growth rates under two experimental conditions - suspended culture and on-bottom culture. Furthermore, we investigated feeding on zooplankton by these two species in suspended culture conditions and compared them with previously published results on their feeding on zooplankton in the natural benthic environment. Fieldwork was conducted in Mali Ston Bay, the most important aquaculture area for black mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Specimens of M. barbatus and A.noae used in experiments were collected from natural populations in December 2009, marked with plastic tags, and randomly divided into two groups – one was suspended in the water column, while the other was placed in plastic cages that were anchored to the seabed location where these two species co-occur in natural populations. Differences were observed in terms of survival of tagged M. barbatus and A. noae during a one year study period - specimens of the bearded horse mussel exhibited much better survival rates both in suspended culture and in on bottom cages than did Noah‟s Ark shells. Growth of A. noae under both culture conditions was essentially negligible, while M. barbatus grew several times faster in suspended culture than on the bottom. Obtained values of growth constant K and Linf for M. barbatus suspended culture were 0.453 year-133 and 55.87 mm, while corresponding values for on bottom culture were 0.092 year-134 and 58.64 mm, respectively. Zooplankters were present in the stomachs of 86.3% of M. barbatus and 86.4% of A. noae collected from suspended culture. Most abundant taxa were bivalve larvae followed by tintinnids, copepods, unidentified eggs and gastropod larvae. There were significant differences in community composition of ingested zooplankton between specimens kept in suspended culture from those in natural population. In conclusion, this study clearly shows that M. barbatus is a promising candidate for introduction to aquaculture, but A. noae is not.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Biotehnologija

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