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Larval rearing of the giant Azorean barnacle, Megabalanus azoricus (Pilsbry, 1916): feeding trials, larval development and settlement on artificial substrata
Author(s) -
Nunes Carla,
Rodeia João,
Paulino Bárbara,
Isidro Eduardo,
De Girolamo Mirko
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/are.13115
Subject(s) - biology , larva , zoology , chaetoceros , ecology , fishery , nutrient , phytoplankton
A series of experiments were conducted to obtain an efficient larval rearing protocol for Megabalanus azoricus . The first part of this study investigates the effect of microalgae‐based diets on survival and larval development. Mono and mixed‐diets were tested at 20 ± 1°C, in a sequence of 11‐day feeding experiments. The second part presents a preliminary study on the influence of a biofilm on recruitment and use of oyster spat collectors in a mass rearing system. A photographic record of larval development and a brief reference to the diagnostic features that enable quick larval staging are also presented, along with morphometric measurements. Of the microalgae tested ( Chaetoceros sp., Chloromonas sp., Dunaliella sp., T‐ Isochrysis sp. and Skeletonema sp.) the mixed‐diet Skeletonema sp. with T‐ Isocrysis sp. showed the highest survival percentages: total survival ranged from 79.7 to 85.7% and 69.7–80.0% of nauplii were in stage VI after 11 days of rearing. Cypris were also present, but only represented 5.3% of the survivors at most. In the mass rearing system juveniles were found settled in the collectors after 25 days, at 20 ± 1°C. However recruitment was less than 1%. Preliminary results showed no settlement preference towards collectors with biofilm. Nevertheless, this study provides the first record of M. azoricus settlement under laboratorial conditions and represent a starting point for future larval rearing studies.