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

This paper reports on a 4 x 4 factorial design experiment conducted to exam ine the combined effects of temperature and salinity on embryonic developme nt and growth and survival of black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifer a (L.) larvae. The temperatures used were 20 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 30 de grees C and 35 degrees C, and the salinities were 25 parts per thousand, 30 parts per thousand, 35 parts per thousand and 40 parts per thousand. Respo nse surface contour diagrams were generated from the survival and growth da ta to estimate optimal conditions. Normal development of embryos occurred o nly from 25 degrees C to 30 degrees C. The optimal conditions for maximum s urvival and growth were 26-29 degrees C and 28-32 parts per thousand. Tempe ratures of 35 degrees C or greater were lethal for larvae and, at all tempe ratures tested, larval growth and survival were lowest at a salinity of 40 parts per thousand.