Larval and juvenile culture of Vogde’s scallop Euvola vogdesi (Pteroida: Pectinidae)

Abstract

Our work describes embryonic, larval, and juvenile development of Euvola vogdesi and shows results of experimental larval culture of this species. Broodstock in the conditioning system reached total maturity of the gonad at 42 ± 5 days. Breeders were induced to spawning with thermal shock methods (18- 28°C/20 min) and with intragonadal serotonin injection (0.3 mL to 0.25 mM). The experiments of temperature effect on larval growth (20, 23, and 25°C) showed that the highest growth in shell length was achieved at 25°C. Larval growth achieved in 1992, 1999, and 2001 showed significant differences. After 9 years of technical improvements to optimize larval production, we have been able to decrease culture time from 25 to 11 days from fertilization to the plantigrade stage. After metamorphosis, postlarvae developed ornamentation in the disoconch, acquiring the species typical morphology. Juveniles from 3.5-4.0 mm in length had a survival of 3- 5%, at 55 ± 5 days in pre-fattening. Juveniles of 6-7 mm in length showed the characteristic valves of adults after 20-25 days of fattening.