The combined effects of temperature and salinity on embryos and larvae of the black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.)

Abstract

This paper reports on a 4 × 4 factorial design experiment conducted to examine the combined effects of temperature and salinity on embryonic development and growth and survival of black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.) larvae. The temperatures used were 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C, and the salinities were 25°/oo, 30°/oo, 35°/oo and 40°/oo. Response surface contour diagrams were generated from the survival and growth data to estimate optimal conditions. Normal development of embryos occurred only from 25 °C to 30 °C. The optimal conditions for maximum survival and growth were 26–29 °C and 28–32°/oo. Temperatures of 35 °C or greater were lethal for larvae and, at all temperatures tested, larval growth and survival were lowest at a salinity of 40°/oo.