Evaluation of the combined effect of temperature and salinity on the filtration, clearance rate and assimilation efficiency of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951)

Abstract

An experimental trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of the combination of four temperatures (23?, 26?, 29? and 32?C) and four salinities (25, 30, 35 and 40 PSU), on clearance (FR) and filtration (CR) rates, as well as on the assimilation efficiency (AE) of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea corteziensis. The interaction temperature-salinity had a significant effect on the feeding physiology of the oyster; optimum results were observed in the combination of 32?C and 35 PSU with a FR of 38.08 L?h-1?g-1, and a CR of 1.61 mg?h-1?g-1. The AE was higher in the combination of 29?C and 35 PSUs with a value of 65.1%. Results suggest that C. corteziensis maintains its feeding physiology in the gradient of temperature and salinity evaluated, which characterizes the bivalve as an eurythermal and euryhaline organism, with a better performance at moderate temperatures (29-32?C) and salinities (~35 PSU).