Ecology of the wood-boring bivalve Martesia striata (Pholadidae) in Indianwaters

Martesia striata (Linnaeus) is one of the dominant wood-boring organisms fo und in Indian waters. Incidence of this organism in the Zuari estuary (Goa) was evaluated by exposing wooden panels (Mangifera indica) to the marine e nvironment between January 1996 and January 1997. Effects of salinity varia tion on embryonic and larval development were evaluated (salinity 0, 10, 20 , 30, 35, 40 and 50, temperature 25 degrees C) and maximum metamorphic succ ess was observed at 30 salinity. Results of the rearing experiments, destru ction pattern of wood in the environment and reproductive biology indicate that although recruitment is halted during the monsoon, adults survive and become reproductively mature in the following post-monsoon, leading to incr eased recruitment during pre-monsoon months. (C) 1999 Academic Press.