Publication Abstract

Genetic manipulation of the Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum) using cytochalasin B to induce triploidy

S.D. Utting and A.R. Child

In eight semi-commercial scale trials, in which Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum Adams and Reeve) eggs were treated with 0.5 mg cytochalasin B l super(-1), 70-77% of the embryos produced were triploids. Mean survival to the D-larva, straight hinge larva stage, of eggs treated with cytochalasin B was 45% (expressed as a % of initial egg numbers) compared to 67% in diploid controls. Subsequent growth and survival of putative triploids during hatchery culture were similar to the diploids. When reassessed in 8-15 mm seed, percentage triploidy in most experimental batches ranged from 15 to 80%. In the experimental batches, the relative viability of triploids was positively correlated with survival to the D-larva stage. A reliable and inexpensive method of assessing triploidy in seed by measuring the diameter of nuclei in gill tissue cells is also described.

Reference:

S.D. Utting and A.R. Child, 1994. Genetic manipulation of the Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum) using cytochalasin B to induce triploidy. Aquaculture,120(3/4): 271-282