Influence of algal cell size on filtration and ingestion rates during different larval stages of the yellow neck clam,Paphia malabarica Chemnitz

Filtration rate and ingestion rate of different stages of Paphia malabarica larvae (D‐shape, (80 μm), Umbo (120 μm) and veliger (180 μm)) were determined in relation to feeding on various micro algae. The micro algae tested were Nannochloropsis salina, Isochrysis aff. galbana, Dicrateria inornata, Tetraselmis gracilis and Chaetoceros calcitrans at 5 or 10 × 10³ cells mL^?1. Both filtration and ingestion rate of micro algae tested were increased with increasing larval size; however, at all larval stages, C. calcitrans resulted in lower filtration and ingestion rate. Of the algal diets tested, P. malabarica larvae showed greatest filtration rate and ingestion rate with N. salina. Maximum filtration rate for N. salina was 15.7, 26.3 and 33.9 μL h^?1 and highest ingest rate was 15, 92 and 177 cells larva^?1 h^?1 in D shape larvae, umbo and pediveliger, respectively. Filtration rate and ingestion rate of N. salina were always higher than those other algal species tested because of its small cell size (2 μm).