Biochemical Changes in Fed and Starved Oysters, Ostrea Edulis L. During Larval Development, Metamorphosis and Early Spat Growth

Abstract

Although a great deal is known about methods for the culture of commercially important bivalve larvae (see, for example, Loosanoff & Davis, 1963; Walne, 1964, 1966) little information is available on the biochemical changes that take place during larval development.Collyer (1957) determined the glycogen content of several batches of newly released larvae of Ostrea edulis and found that viability was not related to the initial glycogen content. Millar & Scott (1967) showed that lipid was the major energy reserve used during starvation by newly released O. edulis larvae. Recently Helm, Holland & Stevenson (1973) have shown that the initial growth rate of newly released O. edulis can be positively correlated with the lipid content of the larvae on liberation.The present paper describes the biochemical changes that occur during larval development, metamorphosis and early spat growth of O. edulis. In addition, short-term starvation experiments were carried out to determine whether protein, lipid or carbohydrate serves as the main energy reserve during each phase of development.