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New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts


Reproductive biology of Arthritica crassiformis and A. bifurca, two commensal bivalve molluscs (Leptonacea)

Paul Chanley*

and

Matoira Chanley*

Fisheries Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, P.O. Box 19062, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract Arthritica crassiformis Powell and A. bifurca (Webster) are functional hermaphrodites. Specimens of both species were isolated and maintained in individual plastic containers until they produced two broods of larvae. A. crassiformis produced an average of 7.75 larvae per day, with brood sizes of 245-3120 larvae and 11-21 days between broods. A. bifurca produced an average of 8.56 larvae per day, with brood sizes of 5-5016 larvae and 8i to 20 days between broods. Larger clams of both species produced more larvae than did smaller clams. Larvae were incubated for about 1 week and were usually released at one time although releases continued for as much as 3 days. A. crassiformis larvae averaged 150 )im in length at release. The hinge increased from 80 to 105 ^m in length and was without discernible hinge teeth. A low, rounded umbo appeared at lengths of 175-200 /im and larvae set at 235-270 ^m. A. bifurca larvae averaged 124 fim in length at release. The hinge line increased from 76 to 89 /im and was without teeth. A low, rounded umbo appeared at 150-169 ^m and larvae set at 243-275 nm.

Keywords Commensal bivalves, Arthritica spp., Reproductive biology, Brooding patterns, Larval stages, Larval morphology, Development, Settlement.

New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 1980, 14 (1): 31-43
Received 19 July 1979; revision received 2 November 1979 Fisheries Research Division Publication 388

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (3549K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)


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