Improving culture techniques for village-based farming of giant clams (Tridacnidae)

Eight experiments aimed at improving methods for the village-based farming of giant clams were conducted in the Solomon Islands. The experiments focused on either improving the fitness of seed clams delivered to village farmers, assessing whether differential growth rates of seed clams in nursery tanks persisted during grow-out at farms, or testing the effects of alterations to the design of grow-out cages on the growth and survival of clams. We found that Tridacna squamosa (Lamarck) ‘seed’ transferred from land-based nursery tanks to a floating ocean nursery (FON) for ≈ 3 months at the end of the nursery phase were significantly larger than seed reared only in land-based nursery tanks. Similarly, T. maxima (Röding) placed in a FON for 2–5 months generally grew at a significantly greater rate than tank-reared ‘seed’. However, the use of FONs did not improve survival. There were no consistent differences in the growth and survival of fast- and slow-growing seed of T. derasa (Röding) at village sites when slow-growing seed were retained in the nursery until reaching a larger size. The survival of T. maxima was enhanced significantly by placing an insert of smaller mesh (a ‘settlement ring’) in grow-out cages for the first 2 months after delivery of seed to farmers. The settlement ring retained clams in cages until they found a suitable place to attach their byssal threads. Attempts to remove the sediment which impedes the attachment of T. maxima to the base of grow-out cages by perforating the substrate did not improve survival: the perforated substrate resulted in poor attachment of clams and harboured predators (Cymatium spp.). The survival of T. crocea (Lamarck) was not improved by ‘softening’ the concrete base of grow-out cages to simulate dead coral rock and to encourage the clams to burrow in the substrate. The survival of T. crocea in grow-out cages was enhanced significantly by enclosing the cages in fine mesh after the delivery of the seed clams to prevent predation and disturbance by juvenile wrasse, Thalassoma spp. The experiments indicate that the critical stage for village farming of giant clams is during the initial weeks following distribution of seed. Further research is needed to improve the survival of T. crocea and T. maxima during this phase.     

Effects of Varying Dietary Fatty Acid Composition on Growth and Survival of Seahorse, Hippocampus Sp., Juveniles

Three commercially available fatty acid enrichment emulsions (DC Selco, DC DHA Selco and DC Super Selco) were used to enrich Artemia nauplii fed to seahorse, Hippocampus sp. fry. The emulsions varied in their n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) composition. Total n-3 HUFA content ranged from 200 to 450mgg^-1 between the three emulsions while levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) ranged between 47–220 and 80–190mgg^-1, respectively. Survival and growth of seahorses at the end of the 30 day growth trial were greater in treatments receiving enriched Artemia. Seahorses receiving Artemia enriched with DC DHA Selco and DC Super Selco showed significantly (p < 0.05) greater mean survival (71.6 ± 6.0% and 78.3 ± 6.0%, respectively) than those receiving unenriched Artemia (48.3 ± 6.0%). Mean standard length was also significantly greater (p < 0.05) in fry fed DC DHA Selco and DC Super Selco enriched Artemia (20.2 ± 0.3 and 19.7 ± 0.3mm, respectively) compared to those fed unenriched Artemia (18.1 ± 0.3mm). The results show that dietary n-3 HUFA are essential for optimal growth and survival of Hippocampus sp. and, based on the fatty acid compositions of the enriched Artemia used in this study, indicate that the level of dietary DHA supporting optimal growth and survival is greater than 9.3mgDHAg^-1 dry weight.     

Grow-out culture of tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina (Linnaeus) in suspended mesh cages with different shelter surface areas

Thisstudy investigated the effects of shelter surface area (SSA) on the feeding,growth and survival of the donkey-ear abalone, Haliotisasinina reared in mesh cages (0.38×0.38×0.28m) suspended in flow-through tanks (water volume = 6m³). Cages had sections of polyvinylchloride (PVC) thatprovided shelters with surface area of 0.22 m², 0.44m² and 0.66 m².Hatchery-produced abalone with initial shell length of 32 ± 1mm and wet weight of 7.5 g were stocked at 50individuals cage^–1 that corresponded to stocking densities ofca. 227, 113 and 75 abalone m^–2 of SSA. The ratios of sheltersurface area to cage volume (SSA:CV) were 5.5, 11 and 16.5. Abalones wereprovided an excess red seaweed Gracilariopsis bailinae(= Gracilaria heteroclada) at weekly intervals overa 270-day culture period. Feeding rates (18–20% of wet weight), foodconversion ratio (26–27) and percent survival (88–92%) did notdiffer significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). Body size at harvest rangedfrom 56 to 59 mm SL and 52 to 57 g wet body weightwith significant differences between abalone reared at SSA 0.22m² and 0.66 m² (p < 0.05).Abalone reared in cages with 0.66 m² SSA grewsignificantly faster at average daily growth rates of 132 m and188 mg day^–1. Stocking densities of 75–113m^–2 SSA in mesh cages suspended in flow-throughtanks resulted in better growth of abalone fed red seaweed.     

光照对不同规格番红砗磲(Tridacna crocea)氧、氨氮及活性磷酸盐代谢的影响

在水温24-26℃下,采用室内实验生态学方法,研究了5000 lx光照强度和黑暗对壳长为(63.53±1.22) mm(S组)、(75.87±1.50) mm (M组)和(92.75±3.02) mm (L组)番红砗磲(Tridacna crocea)氧、氨氮及活性磷酸盐代谢的影响.结果显示,光照条件下,番红砗磲释放氧气,吸收氨氮和活性磷酸盐.黑暗条件下,番红砗磲代谢状况与其他双壳贝类类似.番红砗磲个体代谢率与规格密切相关:光照条件下个体越大,产氧率、对氨氮和活性磷酸盐吸收率越高;黑暗条件下,个体越大,耗氧率、对氨氮和活性磷酸盐释放率亦越高.光照条件下,番红砗磲软体部单位干重代谢率与其个体规格呈负相关,个体越大,单位干重的产氧率、氨氮和活性磷酸盐的吸收率越小.实验首次量化了不同光照条件下番红砗磲对氧、氨氮及活性磷酸盐的吸收和排泄状况,结果可为研究番红砗磲在珊瑚礁生态系统中的作用提供依据,对砗磲人工养殖也具有一定的参考.     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system at 28±1°C to investigate carbohydrate to lipid ratio (CHO:L ratio) in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (12.32±0.04g). Five isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isoenergetic (20kJg^–1 gross energy (GE)) fishmeal based diets with varying carbohydrate to lipid (CHO:L g/g) ratios of 0.74, 1.13, 1.66, 2.47 and 3.42 for diets 1–5, were tested, respectively. The diets containing a fixed protein to energy ratio (P:E ratio) of 20-mg proteinkJ^–1 GE were fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (per 30-L tank). Fish were fed 5% of their body weight per day adjusted fortnightly. Diet 1, containing 14% carbohydrate and 21% lipids with a CHO:L ratio of 0.74 produced the poorest (P<0.05) growth rates, feed and protein efficiency. Increasing carbohydrate content in the diets to 27% concomitant with a reduction in lipid content to 16% with a CHO:L ration of 1.66 of diet 3 significantly improved (P<0.05) growth rates, feed and protein efficiency. A further increase in dietary carbohydrate up to 38% and a decrease in lipids levels to 11% with a CHO:L ratio ranging from 1.66 to 3.42 (diet 3 – 5) did not significantly improve the fish performance. Apparent net protein utilisation (ANPU) of fish fed diet 4 was higher (P<0.05) than for diets 1–3 but did not differ from diet 5. Higher lipid deposition (P<0.05) in whole body and liver were observed with decreasing dietary CHO:L ratios as increasing lipid levels. Whole body protein and liver glycogen content, digestive enzyme activities (protease and lipase) and histological examination of intestine and liver of fish fed varying CHO:L diets did not show any discernible changes among the dietary treatments. However intestinal -amylase activity increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary carbohydrate levels. This study revealed that African catfish can perform equally well on diets containing carbohydrate ranging from 27 to 38% of the diet, with lipid content ranging from 16 to 11% or at CHO:Lg/g ratio of 1.7–3.4.     

Village-based farming of the giant clam, Tridacna gigas (L.), for the aquarium market: initial trials in Solomon Islands

Between 1989 and 1992, small-scale grow-out trials of cultured Tridacna gigas (L.) were established at 40 coastal villages in Solomon Islands. The juvenile giant clams were delivered to village participants at a mean size of 34.6 mm shell length (SL) and a mean age of 380 days. The clams were grown in cages of wire mesh placed on trestles in shallow, subtidal, coral reef habitats. After a mean grow-out period of 297 days, the clams were a mean size of 77.6 mm SL, a suitable size for sale to the aquarium market. Mean growth rate was 4.1 mm month^?1. In 32 of the 53 cages involved in the trials, all clams were removed completely from the cage every 3 months for cleaning. The mean survival rate of these clams was 54%. The clams in the remaining 21 cages were not removed for cleaning and their survival was significantly lower (22%). The growth rate of clams removed for cleaning (3.7 mm month^?1) was, however, significantly lower than the growth rate of undisturbed clams (4.8 mm month^?1). At current prices for juvenile T. gigas in the aquarium trade, farmers who regularly cleaned clams would have netted a minimum of US$180 for a cage initially stocked with 390 clams. Fanners who did not clean their clams would have netted only US$40 per cage due to poorer survival.     

The effect of tissue docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids levels on hypersaline tolerance and leucocyte composition in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) larvae

Larval striped bass (M. saxatilis), tissue docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (AA) acids levels were modulated through dietary enrichments and the effect on growth and survivorship examined. Mean growth was significantly greater in larvae enriched with AA than in larvae enriched with DHA (F-value for AA treatment was 20.5 versus only 5.1 for the DHA treatment). Dietary treatment did not have a significant effect on larval survivorship (56.0±2.4%, p>0.05). When challenged with hypersaline (25 psu) immersion, DHA enriched larvae survived better than AA enriched larvae, but larvae with body tissue levels of 15.4 mg AA g^–1 and 7.2–15.4 mg DHA g^–1 dry weight provided maximal survivorship to the challenge. Elevated levels of body tissue AA was generally associated with elevated levels of whole body cortisol. On the other hand, increasing levels of DHA mainly affected the kinetics of cortisol increase to hypersaline exposure. Larvae injected intraperitoneally with formalin fixed Staphylococcus aureus responded by altering the proportion of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in perpherial blood. Lymphocytes, which accounted for the largest percentage of white blood cells (over 70%), decreased in all challenged larvae during the first 6 hours post injection then returned to pre-challenge levels after 44 hours. Conversely, the relative proportion of monocytes and neutrophils rose from 14% and 2% up to 28% and 6% of the total circulating leucocytes, respectively. The largest increase occurred in larvae fed a moderate level of both DHA and AA.     

Effects of steroid hormones on in vitro oocyte maturation in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The in vitro effects of several steroids on the maturation of intact white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) ovarian follicles were investigated. At the highest concentration (1024 ng ml^–1 for the C21 steroids and 1139 ng ml^–1 for the C19 steroids), all of the C21 steroids tested, progesterone (P4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P), 17,(20,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one 20-S), 11-deoxycortisol (S) and cortisol (F), as well as testosterone (T) induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) at 14 and 22 h. At 6 h, only P4 and 17,20-P induced maturation at the highest concentration (1024 ng ml^–1). At 14 and 22 h, 11-deoxycortisol was the most potent steroid inducer of GVBD followed by P4, 17OHP, 17,20-P, and 20-S. The steroid 11-hydroxytestosterone (11OHT) was completely ineffective at all concentrations and exposure times. The C21 steroids induced oocyte maturation at concentrations ranging from 4 to 1024 ng ml^–1, whereas T induced GVBD at 225 to 1139 ng ml^–1. Calculation of the mean effective concentration that induced 50% GVBD (EC50) from the 22 h incubations revealed the following order of potencies: S > P4 > 17OHP > 17,20-P > 20-S >> F > T. These bioassay results, together with previous findings on the endogenous production of steroids by ovarian follicles from gonadotropin-primed females, indicate that more than one steroid has a biological role in the resumption of meiosis in sturgeon oocytes and provides empirical evidence for P4, 17OHP, S, 20-S, and 17,20-P as maturation-inducing steroids in white sturgeon.     

文蛤动态能量收支模型构建、验证与应用

为评估文蛤生态容量,实验根据动态能量收支理论,基于R语言构建了文蛤动态能量收支模型,采用线性与非线性回归法估算模型参数,通过对比围塘环境下文蛤壳长、湿重、软体部湿重的实测值与模拟值验证模型,并应用于模拟黄海海域滩涂区文蛤的生长过程。结果显示,文蛤模型主要参数形状系数、阿伦纽斯温度系数和单位体积结构物质所需能量分别为0.57、9 278 K和2 056 J/cm³;实测与模拟的文蛤壳长、湿重和软体部湿重相关系数R²平均为0.996,模拟值与实测值的平均误差为3.58%;如东沿海区域6月实测文蛤软体部干重为0.48 g,壳长3.12 cm,模型模拟的软体部干重、湿重和壳长分别为0.476 g,6.6 g和3.2 cm。研究表明,实验构建的文蛤动态能量收支模型的准确度较高,可真实地反映出文蛤在自然水域中的生长过程,为评估文蛤生态容纳量及构建文蛤相关的生态系统模型提供科学参考。     

Physical properties of soft shell clams, Mya arenaria

Soft shell clams, Mya arenaria, are found from Canada to North Carolina on the U.S. Atlantic Coast and from Canada to California on the U.S. West Coast. They are also found in several other parts of the world including Europe. The primary market for these clams on the U.S. East Coast is in New England. Clams are sold whole live or in one of the several cooked forms. Commercial soft clam shucking and processing is primarily by manual methods. However, physical properties data for these clams is lacking and is a constraint on the automation of processing. Several properties of soft shell clams harvested from five different harvest locations in the Chesapeake Bay are detailed in this paper and relationships between the components of the clam are defined mathematically through regression equations. The live weight and the clam length are related to shell weight, siphon weight, meat weight, total solids and free water in the clams. Meat yields under both standard processing methods and for clams steamed and consumed with only the shell removed are detailed. The effect of harvest area on the clam parts is also defined. Soft shell clams shucked manually result in a meat yield of approximately 29% of the live weight. If steamed and eaten the meat yield may be as high as 43% of the live weight, primarily because the siphon is often consumed in steamed clams.     

Contribution of the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium microadriaticum to the nutrition,growth and survival of larval and juvenile tridacnid clams

The role of the symbiotic alga Symbiodinium microadriaticum (= zooxanthellae) in growth, development, and survival of larval and juvenile tridacnid clams was investigated. The zooxanthellae were not present in eggs released from adult Tridacna gigas and Hippopus hippopus, but were ingested by veliger larvae after development from the trochophore stage. Growth of veligers of the clam H. hippopus fed freshly-isolated S. microadriaticum was significantly higher than the growth of starved veligers. In contrast, veligers fed cultured strains of S. microadriaticum and 1–5-day-old isolates of S. microadriaticum from H. hippopus had growth and survival rates not significantly different from starved veligers. These results suggest that translocated photosynthetically-fixed carbon from the ingested freshly-isolated algae was responsible for increased veliger growth and survival.The presence of zooxanthellae in the stomachs of veligers before metamorphosis facilitated establishment of a symbiosis with S. microadriaticum and a concurrent increase in growth after metamorphosis. The establishment of the symbiosis with S. microadriaticum entailed passage of the algae from the stomach, through the digestive gland, and into the developing haemal sinuses. The contribution of photosynthetically-fixed carbon from the symbiotic zooxanthellae could theoretically account for the respiratory demand of 6-week-old juveniles of H. hippopus, corroborating positive growth of unfed symbiotic juvenile clams maintained in filtered seawater.When offered a variety of free-living and symbiotic species of algae, juvenile H. hippopus established a symbiosis only with strains of S. microadriaticum. Other species of algae were apparently digested if small enough to be ingested. Less than 7% of the free-living phytoplankton species Isochrysis galbana and Platymonas subcordiformis that were ingested by symbiotic juvenile Tridacna gigas (3–12 months old) were passed intact through the digestive system after 3 days. In contrast, when freshly-isolated zooxanthellae from T. gigas were offered to symbiotic juvenile T. gigas, up to 76% of the zooxanthellae ingested passed through the clam's digestive system and were released in faecal pellets intact. The symbiotic dinoflagellate Amphidinium klebsii and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum were not ingested by veliger or juvenile clams.     

浮筏养殖虾夷扇贝的自然稀疏效应

为了研究虾夷扇贝浮筏养殖自然稀疏效应和科学养殖密度,2009年8月—2010年7月,对不同密度梯度的3个贝龄虾夷扇贝进行浮筏养殖现场实验。在自然稀疏条件下,逐月调查浮筏养殖不同贝龄的虾夷扇贝壳长生长、湿重增长和累计死亡率,并估算了适宜的扇贝浮筏养殖密度。结果表明,在不同养殖密度条件下,3 个贝龄扇贝周年壳长生长都没有显著差异;1龄贝壳长增长最快,年均增长29.53 mm;2龄贝壳长年均增长23.50 mm;3龄贝壳长增长较慢,年均增长15.47 mm;3个贝 龄扇贝周年湿重增长都没有显著差异,3龄贝和2龄贝湿重增长较快,3龄贝的年均增长约54.07 g,2龄贝的年均增长约37.80 g,1龄贝的年均增长约14.69 g;2 龄贝、3龄贝各养殖密度梯度之间累计死亡率都没有显著差异,3龄贝死亡率介于76.30%～83.33%,2龄贝死亡率介于88.89%～91.78%,养殖密度为150个/层的1龄贝与80个/层和50个/层的1龄贝累计死亡率差异显著。依据自然稀疏模型,浮筏养殖适宜密度3龄贝为4～5个/层;2龄贝为8～16个/层,1龄贝为29～124个/层。     

Strategies for enhancement of natural bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, populations; A case study in the Niantic River estuary, Connecticut, USA

We investigated strategies to enhance populations of bay scallops,Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck, 1819), in a presumablyrecruitment-limited natural habitat. At present, the Niantic Riverestuary supports only a minor bay scallop population that is harvestedrecreationally. Three enhancement strategies were evaluated; (1)collection and redistribution of natural spatfall, (2) introduction andover-wintering of hatchery-reared stock into natural habitat to providenew spawning stock, and (3) over-wintering of hatchery-reared stock insuspension culture for creation of mobile spawner sanctuaries. Anassessment of natural bay scallop recruitment in the Niantic Riverconducted in 1997 indicated that few spat were found, they were widelydispersed within the river, and peak spawning occurred in late July1997. Direct re-seeding was evaluated as an enhancement measure byplanting hatchery-reared scallops ( 38 mm shell height) insmall-scale, 100-m² plots at different times and densities.Time of planting and the inferred predation intensity were major factorsaffecting survival; whereas, planting density had no significant effect.Approximately 9,000 scallops (35–45 mm shell height), broadcastwithin an eelgrass bed in November 1997, had high over-winter survivaland underwent gametogenesis and spawning during 1998. Of 26,000 bayscallops ( 45 mm shell height) over-wintered in suspensionculture from 1998–1999, approximately 60–80%survived, and these scallops spawned in mobile sanctuaries, during thesummer of 1999. There is good potential for using aquacultural methodsfor enhancement of bay scallop populations when natural recruitment ispoor and habitat and environmental conditions are not limiting.     

Effects of feeding (ω-3) HUFA-enriched Artemia during a progressively increasing period on the larviculture of freshwater prawns

Larvae of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were reared to post-larvae in a closed recirculation system. Six treatments were designed where freshly-hatched Artemia nauplii were first given to the larvae for 3, 7, 11, 15, 17 and 25 days according to the treatment. After that (-3) HUFA-enriched Artemia were given until the 28th day at which time the test was terminated and evaluated. The requirement for (-3) Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA) for the larval stages of M. rosenbergii was confirmed by this experiment. Moreover, the longer the period of feeding on (-3) HUFA-enriched Artemia nauplii, the better the results in terms of growth, metamorphosis rate, survival and stress resistance.     

Variations on stress defences and metallothionein levels in the Senegal sole, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solea senegalensis</Emphasis>, during early larval stages

The biochemical status of antioxidant defences of larvae from the commercial, benthic fish, Solea senegalensis, were studied over a period of 28days from hatching. The parameters studied were: catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), total glutation peroxidase activity (sum of the selenium dependent and independent forms) (EC 1.6.4.2), DT-diaphorase (EC 1.6.99.2), and as an indication of conjugative detoxifying metabolism, the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18). Oxidative damage was evaluated by the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indication of lipid peroxidation (LP). Metallothionein (MT) levels were measured by differential pulse polarography and stress proteins (HSP 70 and HSP 60) were detected by immunoblotting, using commercial antibodies. The presence of catalytic activities was observed from hatching day and tended to increase during larval development. Significant changes were seen in most enzymes at day 3, when the larvae finished their endogenous feeding and started to feed on rotifers. DT-diaphorase activities were similar in both NADH and NADPH-dependent forms and, in turn, were about 10-times lower than their correspondent reductases. LP sharply increased at 19 and 28days post-hatch (dph), suggesting a saturation of the antioxidant defences during metamorphosis. MT showed high values during the endogenous phase and the lowest value corresponded to day 3, when the egg-yolksac was fully reabsorbed; a steady-state value was reached thereafter. Stress proteins were present at all stages, showing distinctiveness in the molecular weight of HSP60 at hatching day and 1dph. Quantitatively, both forms were significantly elevated at 3dph, with their ratio (HSP70/HSP60) decreasing over time.     

Growth and survival of the freshwater clam,Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) cultured on different substrata at the Volta estuary,Ghana

This study was conducted to assess the optimum clam size and substratum type for the culture of Galatea paradoxa. The experiment was conducted over a 90‐day period at the Volta Estuary, Ghana. Three size classes of G. paradoxa categorized as small (27.6 ± 0.4 mm), medium (36.8 ± 0.4 mm) and large (50.0 ± 0.6 mm), were used to ascertain the effect of a sandy and muddy substratum on growth performance and survival. Growth increased from the small‐sized clams to the large‐sized clams at 2.54, 3.03 and 3.43 g, respectively, over the experimental period. Growth was higher (P < 0.05) in the muddy substratum (3.58 g) compared with sandy (2.41 g). Similarly, the specific growth rate increased from 0.99% day^?1 in the small‐sized clams to 1.36% day^?1 in the large‐sized clams. Survival rates were significantly higher (99.4%) for the large‐sized clams compared with the medium (78.8%) and the small‐size clams (74.1%). There was significant interaction between the size class and the substratum type with a trend towards increasing survival rate from the small to the large size clams in both substrata. The survival rate was lower in the muddy substratum (71.4%) compared with the sandy substratum (96.7%). The yield was significantly higher in the muddy (2.01 kg m^?2 90 day^?1) compared with sandy substratum (1.87 kg m^?2 90 day^?1). The results of this study indicate that the culture of small‐sized clams is best practiced on sandy substratum due to their elevated survival rates, whereas the muddy substratum appears most suitable for the culture of larger clams (>40 mm) because of their relatively higher survivorship and better growth performance.     

Can giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) populations be restored on Singapore's heavily impacted coral reefs?

• 1. Giant clams have been a sustainable resource for millennia, but unregulated harvesting has led to local extinctions within the Indo‐Pacific region. Giant clam mariculture can produce large numbers of juveniles for restocking wild populations where natural recruitment is low or absent.
• 2. Singapore is surrounded by more than 60 small islands, many with fringing reefs. These reefs, however, experience increased turbidity and sedimentation resulting from massive coastal development projects and regular dredging of shipping lanes.
• 3. Seven reefs off Singapore's southern islands were surveyed (9670 m²) for giant clams. Also, an experiment was conducted to determine the growth of Tridacna squamosa reared in aquaria under three light treatments: ～50% ambient photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); ～25% ambient PAR; and ～12% ambient PAR. Finally, 144 clams (T. squamosa) were transplanted to four reefs around Singapore to study survival and growth in a heavily impacted environment.
• 4. A total of 23 adult clams from three species were found during the survey, representing a mean density of 0.24 per 100 m². Most clams were found at Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore's ‘best’ reef. No juvenile clams were encountered. In the aquarium experiment, clam growth was significantly different among the three light treatments, with growth greatest in the ～50% ambient PAR treatment. Of the 144 transplanted clams, 116 (80.6%) were recovered after 7 months. All specimens had increased in size, with growth rates among reefs ranging from 3.3 mm month^?1 (SD=1.3 mm) to 4.8 mm month^?1 (SD=1.6 mm).
• 5. Results suggest that, despite high levels of sedimentation and turbidity on Singapore's reefs, giant clams can survive and grow well. Restocking efforts using maricultured clams may be effective in enhancing the dwindling local populations. It is not clear, however, whether a self‐sustaining community can be established as high sedimentation may hinder larval settlement and survival.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of temperature on the hatching of eggs of Diplectanum aequans,a parasite of sea bass

This study deals with the influence of temperature on the hatching of eggs of Diplectanum aequans, a branchial ectoparasite of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). At temperatures of 20 °C, 25 C and 30 °C hatching takes place within a few days of laying, whereas at 15 C and 10 C it occurs respectively between the 7th and the 12th day and between the 11th and the 19th day. No hatching has been observed at 5 C. Development is not completely inhibited at 5 C as the eggs can, at least partially, go on maturing and will subsequently hatch as soon as higher temperatures are encountered.     

Recruitment and movement of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria in a tidal river of northern Kyushu,Japan

Size-frequency distributions of Meretrix lusoria, a commercially important bivalve in Japan, were compared among 6 sites in tidal flats of a small river in Kafuri Bay, northern Kyushu, Japan during 2006–2008. In Kafuri Bay, the hard clam resource is strictly managed and mean biomass of this species on the fishing ground (about 1.5 km²) exceeded 1.5 kg m^?2 in 2008. Small clams (<5 mm in shell length, SL) were most abundant in the border area between the river and the sea, while large clams (>40 mm SL) were rare there. In contrast, in the lower site of the marine area (site L), most clams were >30 mm SL. These results indicate that small clams move from riverine to marine areas with growth (post-settlement movement). Year-round, very small clams (<1 mm SL) were present and clams that were 2–5 mm SL were very rare, although the spawning season is thought to occur in summer. Probably, the early growth of many new recruits is very slow and most may even be <1 mm SL in the next spring, although some clams grow to >5 mm SL in a short period of time.     

Culture possibilities of the razor clam Ensis arcuatus (Pharidae: Bivalvia)

This study investigated razor clam Ensis arcuatus culture from larval rearing to commercial size to assess it's aquaculture potential. Broodstock was spawned several times in hatchery facilities to demonstrate that larval availability is not a constraint for hatchery production. Larval culture lasted 20 days, showing an average survival of 14.35%. The razor clam seed reached a size of 28.5 mm at 4 months. Seed culture is feasible; however, it is constrained by the fact that razor clams need to be buried. Higher survival was observed when culturing razor clam seed with a substrate (82–83%), irrespective of the substrate grain size, while containers held without a substrate showed a significantly lower survival (56.5%). We showed that it is possible to rear E. arcuatus juveniles in bottles, with survival as high as 94–95% being achieved. The length increase of the hatchery‐produced E. arcuatus over 600 days was described by the equation Ln L=4.5+(?141.17/t), where L is length in mm and t is time in days. On‐growing showed adequate survival rates and it took 2–3 years to reach commercial size.