Impact of environmental parameters on the growth rate of Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) spatfall at Vellar estuary, India

Spat density was found to be higher in asbestos sheet with a mean value of 6.36 spats/ 100 cm. Environmental parameters such as salinity, temperature, DO, and pH were recorded in response to inter-seasonal variability, varied significantly (P<0.05) between seasons. Dissolved oxygen levels varied from 3.9 mg/L to 5.533 mg/L, and no significant difference was observed for DO levels between these seasons. The pH was significantly lowered (P<0.05; F = 69.25) during pre-monsoon and monsoon. Growth rate was rapid during the month of May (22±1.5 mm month) to June (18.5±0.79 mm month) due to freshwater influx from the upper reaches of the estuaries causes heavy precipitation in the catchment areas of the rivers and in October (18±1.02 mm month) due to northeast monsoon rains.

[1]  Periyadan K. Krishnakumar,et al.  Influence of Environmental Factors on Growth Rate of Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) in Suspended Culture , 2007 .

[2]  S. Cheung,et al.  Site-related differences in the feeding physiology of the green mussel Perna viridis: a reciprocal transplantation experiment , 2003 .

[3]  K. Nair,et al.  Sublethal response of barnacles to chlorine: An experimental study for power plant biofouling control , 1993 .

[4]  E. Hartwick,et al.  Influences of temperature, salinity and available food upon suspended culture of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas: II. Condition index and survival , 1988 .

[5]  E. Hartwick,et al.  Influences of temperature, salinity and available food upon suspended culture of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas: I. Absolute and allometric growth , 1988 .

[6]  P. J. Sanjeeva Raj.  Oysters in a new classification of keystone species , 2008 .

[7]  R..  Multivariate analyses of the role of environmental factors in seasonal and site-related growth variation in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas , 2006 .

[8]  P Muthiah,et al.  Techniques of collection of oyster spat for farming , 1987 .

[9]  R. Newell,et al.  9 – Physiological Energetics of Marine Molluscs , 1983 .

[10]  K Satyanarayana Rao,et al.  Observations on the setting of spat and growth of Crassostrea madrasensis in Vaigai estuary at Athankarai , 1982 .

[11]  S. Reuben,et al.  Culture experiments on the edible oyster Crassostera madrasensis in the Bheemunipatnam backwater , 1982 .

[12]  R. Thangavelu,et al.  Experiments on edible oyster spat collection at Tuticorin , 1982 .

[13]  H. Hidu,et al.  Suspended culture of oysters: Biological fouling control☆ , 1981 .

[14]  U. K. Gopalan,et al.  Ecological studies on the seasonal production of the edible oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) in Cochin Backwater, Kerala , 1981 .

[15]  W. Menzel.  CHAPTER 12 – Clams and Snails [Mollusca: Pelecypoda (except Oysters) and Gastropoda] , 1979 .

[16]  K. Nayar,et al.  Rate of growth in spat and yearlingsof the Indian backwater oysterOstrea madrasensis Preston , 1956 .