Nc. Inestrosa et al., METAMORPHOSIS OF CONCHOLEPAS-CONCHOLEPAS (BRUGUIERE, 1789) INDUCED BYEXCESS POTASSIUM, Journal of shellfish research, 12(2), 1993, pp. 337-341
Planktonic larvae of Concholepas concholepas Bruguiere underwent compl
ete metamorphosis in response to excess K+. The effect was dose-depend
ent and optimal at approximately double the normal concentration of K in 0.45 um membrane-filtered seawater. Increasing concentration over
25 mM K+ produced a decline in survival, suggesting toxicity. Metamorp
hosis began with propodium attachment to the substratum and subsequent
deciliation and destruction of the velum, followed by the emergence o
f cephalic tentacles from the larval shell margin. Velar loss, induced
by K+, began with the detachment of large ciliated cells at the velar
margin. Field-collected larvae, from different localities along the C
hilean coast, presented a positive response to excess K+, and almost 8
0% of the larvae metamorphosed in 1 to 2 days. The induction of metamo
rphosis of Concholepas concholepas larvae by K+, provides a useful bio
technological tool for the cultivation of this socio-economically impo
rtant marine resource of the southeastern Pacific Ocean.