Abstract: The effects of seawater salinity, pH and diet on growth and development of the planktonic larvae in clamModiolusmodioluswere investigated in order to explore the optimum culture conditions. It was found that growth and development of the planktonic larvae were significantly affected by the 3 ecological factors(P<0.05). The planktonic larvae had normal growth and development at a salinity of 25-30, with the optimal salinity of 30, showing stronger tolerance to high salinity than to low salinity. The suitable pH range for growth was changed from 6 to 9, and the best growth and maximal survival was observed in the larvae at pH 8. In diets experiment, both the best growth and higher survival rate were found in the larvae fed the alga mixture ofIsochrysiszhanjiangensis,NitzschiaclosteriumandChaetocerosmuelleriLemmerman. However, the worst growth and lower survival were observed in the planktonic larvae fed singleChaetocerosmuelleriLemmerman or mixture ofChaetocerosmuelleriLemmerman withNitzschiaclosterium, indicating thatIsochrysiszhanjiangensismeets the nutritional requirement of the planktonic larvae for early growth and development. There were no significant differences in growth and survival in larvae fedIsochrysiszhanjiangensisandNitzschiaclosteriumonly and the mixed microalgae containingIsochrysiszhanjiangensis(P>0.05).
2014, Vol. 29 
