Changes in survivorship,behavior, and morphology in native soft‐shell clams induced by invasive green crab predators

Many studies on invasive species show reduced native densities, but few studies measure trait‐mediated effects as mechanisms for changes in native growth rates and population dynamics. Where native prey face invasive predators, mechanisms for phenotypic change include selective predation, or induced behavioral or morphological plasticity. Invasive green crabs, Carcinus maenas, have contributed to declines in native soft‐shell clams, Mya arenaria, in coastal New England, USA. We tested the hypothesis that clam ability to detect chemical cues from predators or damaged conspecifics would induce greater burrowing depth as a refuge from invasive crabs, and greater burrowing would require increased siphon growth. To determine how crab predation affected clam survivorship and phenotypic traits in the field, clams in exclosure, open, and crab enclosure plots were compared. Crab predation reduced clam density, and surviving clams were deeper and larger, with longer siphons. To determine whether the mechanism for these results was selective predation or induced plasticity, phenotypes were compared between clams exposed to chemical cues from crab predation and clams exposed to seawater in laboratory and field experiments. In response to crab predation cues, clams burrowed deeper, with longer siphons and greater siphon mass. Overall, crab predation removed clams with shorter siphons at shallow depths, and crab predation cues induced greater burrowing depths and longer siphons. Longer siphons and greater siphon mass of deeper clams suggests clams may allocate energy to siphon growth in response to crabs. By determining native behavior and morphological changes in response to an invasive predator, this study adds to our understanding of mechanisms for invasive impacts and illustrates the utility of measuring trait‐mediated effects to investigate predator–prey dynamics.     

缢蛏耐高盐性能及其与生长性状的相关性分析

缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)是我国重要的水产经济贝类,开展耐高盐新品种选育对平衡不同地区缢蛏良种养殖意义重大。本研究对不同家系缢蛏幼贝进行高盐胁迫,运用统计学方法和相关性分析探究了缢蛏耐高盐性能及其与生长性状的相关性。结果显示,缢蛏家系间壳长、壳高、壳宽和体质量表型值差异较大,体质量变异系数达15.53%。不同家系对高盐耐受性差异较大,家系间死亡率范围在0～100%。胁迫实验共持续9 d,各家系缢蛏首粒死亡时间在第1～9 d之间,而且死亡率较高的家系内缢蛏死亡时间离散程度较大,说明不同个体间高盐耐受性差异也较大。缢蛏开始出现大量死亡的时间主要在胁迫后第8 d,第9 d部分家系死亡率高于80%,说明缢蛏对高盐耐受存在一个阈值,超过该阈值会开始或大量死亡。皮尔逊和斯皮尔曼相关性分析显示,缢蛏存活时间和生长性状为正相关,其中存活时间与缢蛏壳长、体质量相关性均达到显著水平(P<0.05)。缢蛏存活率与体质量、生长速度均显著正相关(P<0.05)。整体而言,壳长较长和体质量较重的缢蛏个体耐高盐性能较强,在高盐环境中具有生长优势。本研究揭示了缢蛏的高盐耐受性及...     

Pathologic survey on the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> (Adams and Reeve 1850) from Haeju off the western coastal Yellow Sea

Pathologic condition of Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum collected from Haeju off the west coast of North Korea in February and March 2007 was investigated in this study. The diagnostics included a protozoan parasite, Perkinsus olseni, the brown ring disease (BRD) caused by bacteria Vibrio tapetis and metazoan parasites Trematod and Cestod. P. olseni infection was examined using histology and Ray’s fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) assay along with Choi’s NaOH digestion technique. Trematode and cestode infection was also examined from the histology. A total of 140 clams with 35–45 mm in shell length (2–3 years old) were analyzed. Condition factor (CF), a ratio of the wet tissue weight to the shell dry weight, ranged from 0.445±0.074 (February) to 0.544±0.132 (March). Total body burden of P. olseni (i.e. infection intensity) ranged from 18,644±37,755 (February) to 26,933±80,611 cells/g wet tissue (March) with the prevalence of 76.7–43.3% (March) respectively. Prevalence of trematode and cestode infection in February and March varied 22.5–25.0 and 15.0–22.5% respectively. Infection intensity of V. tapetis ranged 1–2 and the prevalence was 1.4 (February) and 5.7% (March). Prevalence and infection intensity of P. olseni in clams from Haeju was comparatively lower than those of clams reported on the west coast of Korea. BRD and the other metazoan parasite infection were also relatively lower or similar to the condition of the clams reported previously. CF of Haeju clams was also relatively higher than the clams in Gyeonggi Bay and Taean, suggesting that Haeju clams had relatively better pathologic and health condition.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> seed burial can be enhanced by Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>: A microcosm study

Seagrass seed bank plays a key role in the regeneration of new vegetation when seagrasses are removed by the natural or man-made disaster. Various factors may affect the development of sediment seed bank. We conducted a microcosm experiment to test the effects of burrowing and feeding activities of Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum on the burial of Zostera marina seeds in sediments. The effects of lasting time (3-hour, 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day and 28-day), clam density (0, 2, 4 and 8 clams with shell length of 3 cm in each microcosm) and clam size (shell length of 2, 3 and 4 cm at 4-clam density) on seed burial were examined in plastic microcosm cores (30 cm high × 10 in inner diameter) in a 28-day period. Results showed that the seed burial depth significantly increased with time, the density and the size of clams. No seeds were buried in the sediment in the cores without clams during the whole experiment period. For the 3-cm clams, about 91.61% of the seeds were buried in the sediment at the end of the experiment in the high-density treatment (8 clams at each core); while in the medium and low-density treatments (4 and 2 clams in each core, respectively), about 76.93% and 60.61% of the seeds were buried in the sediment, respectively. For the size treatments, large (4 cm) clams buried 89.56% of the seeds at the end of the experiment, much more than those of medium (3 cm, 76.93%) and small (2 cm, 61.50%) size clams. During the whole experiment period, nearly all of the buried seeds were at a depth of from 0 cm to 5 cm. These results suggested that Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum may play an important positive role in seagrass seed bank dynamics in the field.     

A theoretical individual-based model of Brown Ring Disease in Manila clams,Venerupis philippinarum

An individual-based mathematical model was developed to investigate the biological and environmental interactions that influence the prevalence and intensity of Brown Ring Disease (BRD), a disease, caused by the bacterial pathogen, Vibrio tapetis, in the Manila clam (Venerupis (= Tapes, = Ruditapes) philippinarum). V. tapetis acts as an external microparasite, adhering at the surface of the mantle edge and its secretion, the periostracal lamina, causing the symptomatic brown deposit. Brown Ring Disease is atypical in that it leaves a shell scar that provides a unique tool for diagnosis of either live or dead clams. The model was formulated using laboratory and field measurements of BRD development in Manila clams, physiological responses of the clam to the pathogen, and the physiology of V. tapetis, as well as theoretical understanding of bacterial disease progression in marine shellfish. The simulation results obtained for an individual Manila clam were expanded to cohorts and populations using a probability distribution that prescribed a range of variability for parameters in a three dimensional framework; assimilation rate, clam hemocyte activity rate (the number of bacteria ingested per hemocyte per day), and clam calcification rate (a measure of the ability to recover by covering over the symptomatic brown ring deposit), which sensitivity studies indicated to be processes important in determining BRD prevalence and intensity. This approach allows concurrent simulation of individuals with a variety of different physiological capabilities (phenotypes) and hence by implication differing genotypic composition. Different combinations of the three variables provide robust estimates for the fate of individuals with particular characteristics in a population that consists of mixtures of all possible combinations.The BRD model was implemented using environmental observations from sites in Brittany, France, where Manila clams routinely exhibit BRD signs. The simulated annual cycle of BRD prevalence and intensity agrees with observed disease cycles in cultured clam populations from this region, with maximum disease prevalence and intensity occurring from December to April. Sensitivity analyses of modeled physiological processes showed that the level of hemocyte activity is the primary intrinsic determinant of recovery of infected clams. Simulations designed to investigate environmental effects on BRD suggested that the outcome of the host–parasite interaction is dependent on food supply (high values being favorable for the host) and temperature. Results of simulations illustrate the complex interaction of temperature effects on propagation and viability of the bacterium, on the phagocytic activity of the hemocytes, and on other physiological processes of the host clam. Simulations using 1 °C and 2 °C increases in temperature generally favored disease development, indicating that climate warming might favor the spread of BRD.     

Preliminary results of a field study on some stress-related parameters in Tapes philippinarum naturally infected by the protozoan Perkinsus sp.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the possible use of the clam Tapes philippinarum—a filter-feeding bivalve living on soft bottoms—in the monitoring of sediment pollution in the Lagoon of Venice (North-East Italy). To this end, two clam populations, exposed to different environmental conditions (a relative clean site and an industrial polluted area), have been monitored for the prevalence of the protozoan parasite Perkinsus sp. as well as for several biological parameters commonly used as determinants of contaminants exposure. First results showed a low prevalence, higher in the clean site, but a very diffuse distribution of the parasite throughout the two populations. Nevertheless, greater digestive cells height and longer lysosomal latency time were observed in clams from the clean area. As for the physiological stress-related parameters, even if clearance rates were always higher in these clams, scope for growth values indicated a more complicated biological response.     

New polymorphic microsatellite markers derived from hemocyte cDNA library of Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> challenged by the protozoan parasite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perkinsus olseni</Emphasis>

Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum is one of the most important benthic animals in the coastal north Pacific region, where clam populations have been mixed genetically through trade and aquaculture activities. Accordingly, identification of the genetically different clam populations has become one of the most important issues to manage interbreeding of the local and introduced clam populations. To identify genetically different populations of clam populations, we developed 11 expressed sequence tag (EST)-microsatellite loci (i.e., simple sequence repeat, SSR) from 1,128 clam hemocyte cDNA clones challenged by the protozoan parasite Perkinsus olseni. Genotype analysis using the markers developed in this study demonstrated that clams from a tidal flat on the west coast contained 6 to 19 alleles per locus, and a population from Jeju Island had 4 to 20 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity of the 2 clam populations ranged from 0.472 to 0.919 for clams from the west coast, and 0.494 to 0.919 for clams from Jeju Island, respectively. Among the 11 loci discovered in this study, 7 loci significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The 5 loci developed in this study also successfully amplified the SSRs of R. variegatus, a clam species taxonomically very close to R. philippinarum, from Hong Kong and Jeju Island. We believe that the 11 novel polymorphic SSR developed in this study can be utilized successfully in Manila clam genetic diversity analysis, as well as in genetic discrimination of different clam populations.     

Clam community composition and prey shell size impacts moon snail (Gastropod: Naticidae) drilling frequencies in South Carolina,USA

Moon snail predation on clams is a common model system of predator–prey interactions. In this system, the predator bores through the shell of its prey, leaving a distinct and identifiable hole. Some paleoecological and behavioral research on moon snails suggests a trend in predation preference directed toward clams with small shells. Rarely, however, have studies tested relative drilling frequencies across species and size ranges in natural assemblages of clam communities. We examined the clam community composition at two beaches in South Carolina, USA, and we then tested moon snail predator preferences for (a) clam prey species and (b) whether their selection is related to prey shell size. We collected a total of 1,879 clam shells, identified each shell to species and recorded their anteroposterior length. The species composition of clams differed significantly between the two beaches; Anadara ovalis was dominant at both sites, but three of ten total species were only collected at one beach. Folly Beach had nearly a 60% higher the overall drilling frequency (34.6%) versus Edisto Beach (21.8%), and this may be linked to the differences in clam community compositions at the sites. For A. ovalis and Mulinia lateralis, shells with larger lengths have lower probabilities of being bored by a moon snail. Anadara brasiliana, which generally is a thinner‐shelled clam species, had the highest total drilling frequency (77.2%), and Noetia ponderosa, a thicker‐shelled clam, had a considerably lower drilling frequency (12.0%). We conclude that both community level factors (species composition) and population characteristics (shell size distributions) may influence the local drilling frequency by moon snails.     

Gametogenic development and spawning of the razor clam,Zenatia acinaces in northeastern New Zealand

The potential exists for New Zealand to exploit already established markets for razor clams through development of fisheries or aquaculture industries for the New Zealand razor clam, Zenatia acinaces. However, fishery or aquaculture development for Z. acinaces requires an understanding of the reproductive cycle including the timing of gametogenic development and spawning. The reproductive cycle of Z. acinaces was studied over an 11‐month period from May 2000 to March 2001 at Kennedy Bay, Coromandel Peninsula, using qualitative standard histological analysis and quantitative measures of oocytes. Histological analysis indicated that Z. acinaces is dioecious and gametogenic development was synchronous between the sexes. Gametogenesis began in June with gametes maturing quickly and by August/September (late winter/ early spring) most razor clams were ripe. Spawning began as early as September (spring) although spawning mainly occurred during October. By December (summer), nearly all clams were completely spent. From January 2001 most clams could not be sexed as all residual gametes were resorbed. Razor clams remained in this stage during March 2001. Spawning began when the water temperature was around its lowest, c. 15°C. Monthly mean number of eggs/follicle was sensitive to changes in reproductive development, closely following patterns observed in the qualitative stagings. Patterns of monthly mean oocyte diameters did not adequately describe the spawning events observed in qualitative analyses. Sex ratios were equal over the size range (69–99 mm shell length) of clams that could be sexed. The data presented in this study provide valuable information on the timing of spawning events for Z. acinaces, necessary for developing sustainable management strategies and selecting broodstock for aquaculture.     

Growth performance of the clam, Meretrix meretrix, breedingselection populations cultured in different conditions

A breeding-selection program for the clam,Meretrix meretrix,was conducted since 2004.Two of the selection populations were generated with the shell color pattern as an additional selection criterion and named as SP(purple stripes)population and SB(black dots)population.The third-generation SP and SB populations(08G3SP and 08G3SB,respectively)were cultured at two commercial clam farms and a nursery pond and their shell lengths were compared.08G3SB clams had significantly larger sizes than 08G3SP clams at commercial clam farms(p<0.05),yet 08G3SB individuals were significantly smaller than 08G3SP individuals at the nursery pond(p<0.05).Then,we examined the growth of the fourth-generation SP and SB populations(10G4SP and 10G4SB,respectively)at a commercial farm,and found that the shell lengths of the 10G4SB clams increased at a significantly higher growth rate than the 10G4SP clams(p<0.05)from May to September,when the water temperature was between 24.2–27.5 C,while 10G4SB lost the growth advantage in the other months.These results indicated that SP and SB populations responded differently to environmental factors,so it is beneficial for the clam farmers to select a suitable population according to the culture environment.Furthermore,a diallel mating of the SB and SP populations was designed to investigate whether their hybrid population would show heterosis.However,the heterosis was not shown in this study,which might result from the slight genetic divergence between SB and SP populations.     

Relationships between environmental factors and Donax denticulatus populations in Puerto Rico

Donax denticulatus population density and size distribution were studied in five different Puerto Rican beaches for a one year period in order to determine relationships between the densities and size distributions of the clam, and twelve different physico-chemical parameters of sediments and water. Maní beach exhibits significantly higher population densities followed by Luquillo, Esperanza and Ballenas. No clams were found in Crashboat. Luquillo and Esperanza had similar population fluctuations, having peak densities in August and January. Maní had higher densities in September and May, and Ballenas in June. The only major settlement period appeared during January at Esperanza. The bigger clams (30 mm) were found in Maní only. Higher population density and bigger clams in Maní are related to waters having high concentrations of total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon and nitrates. The clam was absent from Crashboat where very low levels of phosphates and nitrates were observed. These studies indicate relationships between water and sediment quality, and densities of D. denticulatus.     

Combined effects of a parasite,QPX, and the harmful-alga,Prorocentrum minimum on northern quahogs,Mercenaria mercenaria

Northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria (L.), frequently are infected with the parasite Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX, Labyrintohomorpha, Thraustochytriales), which can cause morbidity and mortality of the quahogs. Possible interactions between this parasitic disease and exposure to the harmful dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum in M. mercenaria were studied experimentally. Quahogs from Massachusetts with variable intensity of QPX infection were exposed, under controlled laboratory conditions, to cultured P. minimum added to the natural plankton at a cell density equivalent to a natural bloom. After 5 days of exposure, individual clams were diagnosed histologically to assess prevalence and intensity of parasitic infection, as well as other pathological conditions. Further, cellular defense status of clams was evaluated by analyzing hemocyte parameters (morphological and functional) using flow-cytometry. Exposure of quahogs to P. minimum resulted in: a lower percentage of phagocytic hemocytes, higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), larger hemocyte size, more-numerous hemocytic aggregates, and increased numbers of hemocytes in gills accompanied by vacuolation and hyperplasia of the water-tubular epithelial cells of the gills. Quahogs had a low prevalence of QPX; by chance, the parasite was present only in quahogs exposed to P. minimum. Thus, the effect of QPX alone on the hemocyte parameters of quahogs could not be assessed in this experiment, but it was possible to assess different responses of infected versus non-infected quahogs to P. minimum. QPX-infected quahogs exposed to P. minimum had repressed percentage of phagocytic hemocytes, consistent with immuno-modulating effect of P. minimum upon several molluscan species, as well as smaller hemocytes and increased hemocyte infiltration throughout the soft tissues. This experiment demonstrates the importance of considering interactive effects of different factors on the immunology and histopathology of bivalve shellfish, and highlights the importance of considering the presence of parasites when bivalves are subjected to harmful-algal blooms.     

Feeding ecology of whelks on an intertidal sand flat in north‐eastern New Zealand

The dispersion patterns and feeding behaviour of intertidal whelks were investigated in north‐eastern New Zealand. Aggregations of whelks feeding on clams occurred regularly, with an average of 15–20 individuals per aggregation. Death of clams was attributable to predation in up to 50% of the aggregations, although scavenging of dead and moribund animals was the main activity of whelks. Laboratory and field studies showed that Lepsiella scobina (generally not considered a soft shore species) was the main whelk predator at Lews Bay, Whangateau Harbour, drilling a small neat hole through the clam shell. The distinction between Cominella spp. as predators or scavengers is not so clear. Reseeding of intertidal clams, Austrovenus stutchburyi, has been proposed as a technique for reestablishing populations in some degraded New Zealand estuaries. The impact of whelk predation has many implications for A. stutchburyi reseeding. Both L. scobina and Cominella adspersa may potentially prey on newly reseeded clams as they preferentially attacked small clams in the laboratory. On‐growing to a larger size before reseeding may be advantageous although large size was not found to protect prey from predation. Additionally, no seasonal trend in whelk activity was found.     

三种蛏的遗传多样性分析

应用AFLP技术对浙南地区分布的小荚蛏(Siliqua minimai)、缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)和大竹蛏(Solen grandis)3种蛏进行了基因组DNA多态性检测,并对其遗传多样性进行了分析.利用筛选出的5对引物组合,共扩增出781个清晰的位点;小荚蛏、缢蛏和大竹蛏多态位点比例依次为79.22%、84.25%和64.82%,Nei's基因多样性指数分别为0.2971、0.3070和0.2785,Shannon's多样性指数分别为0.4402、0.4575和0.4010,种内平均遗传距离为0.2585、0.2691和0.1838.研究结果表明,这3种蛏的核DNA遗传多样性水平以缢蛏为最丰富,小荚蛏次之,大竹蛏最低;并且3种蛏的共享位点很少,遗传趋异比较明显,说明3种蛏的遗传关系比较远.     

LPS胁迫下五个群体菲律宾蛤仔TYR基因在鳃和肝胰腺中表达特性研究

为了解TYR基因与蛤仔免疫的关系,本实验利用荧光定量PCR技术研究了菲律宾蛤仔五个群体(白蛤、白斑马蛤、斑马蛤、养殖和野生群体)的鳃组织和肝胰腺组织在LPS胁迫下TYR基因在不同时间(0 h、3 h、12 h、24 h、48 h)的表达特性。结果表明,在LPS注射后鳃组织中TYR6基因表达水平在白蛤和白斑马蛤3 h、6 h、12 h,野生蛤仔3 h,斑马蛤3 h、6 h,养殖群体6 h、12 h显著上调(P0.05),3h野生蛤仔和斑马蛤达到峰值, 6 h白蛤、白斑马蛤、养殖群体达到峰值(P0.05);在肝胰腺中,养殖群体和白斑马蛤6 h,白蛤6 h、24 h,野生群体24 h,斑马蛤3 h显著上调, 3 h野生蛤仔和斑马蛤达到峰值,6h养殖群体、白蛤、白斑马达到峰值(P0.05);鳃组织中TYR10基因表达水平在白蛤、野生群体和白斑马蛤3 h,养殖群体3 h、6 h,斑马蛤3 h、12 h显著上调(P0.05),肝胰腺组织中TYR10基因表达水平在白蛤3 h,野生群体3 h、6 h、12 h,斑马蛤、养殖群体6 h显著上调(P0.05),推测TYR基因在五个菲律宾蛤仔群体的鳃和肝胰腺中参与了免疫应答。通过对TYR基因的氨基酸序列进行二级结构分析和系统发育树分析,找到两个铜离子结合位点和6个组氨酸残基,并发现TYR6基因和长牡蛎同源性最高,为39.43%, TYR10基因和大珠母贝同源性最高,为51.04%。本文首次探讨在LPS胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔TYR基因的表达特性,为进一步探究TYR基因与菲律宾蛤仔免疫应答机制提供参考。     

Uptake and release of paralytic shellfish toxins by the clam Ruditapes decussatus exposed to Gymnodinium catenatum and subsequent depuration

A laboratory experiment was performed with the clam Ruditapes decussatus, fed with the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum and the non-toxic algae Isochrysis galbana (14 days) and subsequently only with I. galbana (15 days). Individual paralytic shellfish toxins were determined by LC-FLD in G. catenatum cells, whole clam tissues, and particulate organic matter (POM) produced by clams. The toxins dcSTX and dcGTX2 + 3 in the algae were less abundant than C1 + 2 and B1, but were predominant in clams during both the exposure and depuration phases. The toxin dcNEO was only detected in clams during a short period, indicating conversion from other compounds. The toxin composition of the POM indicated the export of dcSTX as faeces or pseudo-faeces along the entire experiment (2.5–14 nmol mg⁻¹), B1 was present in a short period of the exposure and C1 + 2 and dcGTX2 + 3 absent. A mass balance calculation indicated that approximately 95% of C1 + 2 and 85% of B1 supplied to the clams were converted into other toxins or lost in solution. Conversely, the net gain of 512, 61 and 31 nmol for dcSTX, dcGTX2 + 3 and dcNEO, respectively, suggests the conversion from other assimilated compounds by clams during exposure and depuration phases.     

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug,ibuprofen, affects the immune parameters in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

The effects of ibuprofen (IBU) on the immune parameters of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum were investigated after a 7-day exposure to sublethal IBU concentrations (0, 0 + ethanol, 100, 500, and 1000 μg/L). Total haemocyte count (THC), haemocyte diameter and volume, haemocyte proliferation and uptake of the vital dye Neutral Red (NR) were measured. The cytotoxicity (assessed by the lactate dehydrogenase assay, LDH) and the capability of IBU to induce DNA fragmentation (indicative of apoptosis) were also investigated. The exposure of clams to the highest IBU concentration significantly reduced their THC, whereas no significant changes were observed in either the diameter or volume of haemocytes. Significant increases in haemocyte proliferation were recorded in clams that were exposed to the two highest tested concentrations of IBU. Exposure of clams to 1000 μg IBU/L significantly reduced NR uptake and increased haemolymph LDH activity. Conversely, IBU did not induce DNA fragmentation in haemocytes. Although the IBU concentrations tested in this study were higher than those generally recorded in aquatic environments, results obtained indicate that exposure of clams to IBU induces significant alterations in the immune parameters and suggest potential immunosuppression in treated clams.     

Infestation of the surf clam Mesodesma donacium by the spionid polychaete Polydora bioccipitalis

The surf clam Mesodesma donacium is an economically important species for Chilean and Peruvian shellfisheries. This clam is often infested by Polydora bioccipitalis, a species belonging to the Spionidae, the most common parasitic polychaete group. To study this association, clams were sampled monthly over a one-year period in northern Chile. Collected clams covered the entire available size range and were classified into four infestation levels in order to study: (1) the relationship between prevalence of infestation (PI) and host size, (2) the temporal pattern of infestation events related to seasonal temperature changes, and (3) the relationship between infestation, body condition index (BCI) and gonado-somatic index (GSI). Additionally, growth rate and digging ability of clams with different infestation levels was studied. A logistic regression model best explained the relationship between PI and host size, with the smallest infested clam being 34 mm long and PI increasing steeply thereafter. Ontogenetic shifts in the habitat of the clam and ontogenetic changes, mainly in shell morphology, seem to explain the sigmoid pattern. Periods of increased shell blistering after infestation by P. bioccipitalis showed a similar seasonal pattern with GSI and BCI of non-infested clams, suggesting either an association between infestation ability and low condition of the clam or common environmental triggers for those factors. Heavily infested clams showed a significant lower BCI, growth rate and digging ability; however, given its low number, they are unlikely to be significant in terms of the local population survival. However, the infestation could play a key role in explaining mass mortality of northern populations during El Niño events, given the latitudinal differences in PI and the fact that infestation ability could be enhanced by increased temperature and facilitated in stressed clams.     

缢蛏独睾科吸虫囊蚴病病原生物学及病理学

本文首次报道了缢蛏新的一种寄生虫病-厦门独睾科吸虫囊蚴病。组织学观察发现,该囊蚴不仅可对成熟缢蛏许多组织造成损害,对幼蛏期缢蛏也可造成的一定的病理危害。通过对该独睾科吸虫部分生活史的实验研究,发现该吸虫终末宿主为钟馗 虎鱼．缢蛏为其第二中间宿主。     

硬壳蛤(Mercenaria mercenaria)稚贝中间培育模式的初步研究

采用现场测定方法 ,研究了硬壳蛤稚贝野外中间培育的适宜初始规格以及直接底播、袋中加砂底播、袋中加砂笼养和袋中无砂笼养 4种野外培育模式的效果。结果表明 ,硬壳蛤稚贝进行野外中间培育的适宜规格为壳长大于 2— 4mm。在 4种培育模式中 ,直接底播和袋中加砂底播模式效果比较理想。直接底播的稚贝 ( 30 0 0粒 /m2 )经过 2 8天便可由壳长2 .62mm长到 9.47mm ,达到播种规格 ;经过 62天的培育可以长到 1 7.5 1mm ,成活率可达83.3%。利用袋中加砂底播模式培育的稚贝生长速度略低于直接底播的稚贝 ,但成活率略高于直接底播的稚贝 ,可达到 89.8%— 94.5 %。与上述两种培育模式相比 ,袋中加砂笼养和袋中无砂笼养模式培育的稚贝生长速度较慢 ,其中以袋中无砂笼养模式培育的稚贝生长速度最慢 ,成活率最低。在这两种培育模式中 ,下层稚贝生长最慢 ,其次为中层稚贝 ,再次为上层稚贝