Publication Abstract

The Response of Manila Clam, Tapes Philippinarum, Juveniles to Nutritive Stress

I. Laing

Juvenile Manila clams (Tapes philippinarum (Adams and Reeve)) were reared in the hatchery and subjected to nutritive stress at the post-metamorphosis and planting out stages, equivalent to sizes of 0.08 mg and 7.58-11.87 mg mean dry weight respectively. At the post-metamorphosis stage, unfed juveniles increased in dry weight and retained viability for at least 35 days. During this period 75% of the initial carbohydrate reserves were utilised. For the planting out stage, one group of juveniles was reared with a dried algae diet, to produce animals with greater carbohydrate reserves (5.85% of the ash-free dry weight) than a similar group reared with live algae (3.26% carbohydrate reserves). The clams with the higher carbohydrate reserves had a greater resistance to nutritive stress. This was shown by a proportionally smaller loss of total organic content and condition when the food supply was suspended and by a faster growth response when feeding was resumed. These effects lasted for 14 days. Clams of this size remained viable for at least 60 days without feeding.

Reference:

I. Laing, 1993. The Response of Manila Clam, Tapes Philippinarum, Juveniles to Nutritive Stress. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 173(1): 111-121