Abstract

The estuarine clam Polymesoda arctata is one of the most important artisanal fisheries mollusks in the Caribbean Sea and is currently threatened by overexploitation and habitat loss. In order to provide a basis for aquaculture production of this species as a tool for its conservation and sustainable use, the growth and survival of its embryos and larvae were evaluated under different hatchery culture conditions. An embryo culture experiment was conducted at different incubation densities (1, 5, 10, or 15 zygotes mL- 1). In addition, five larval culture experiments were performed testing different culture densities (1 or 5 larvae mL- 1), food rations (20 or 40 cells of Isochrysis galbana mu L- 1 d- 1), temperatures (25, 27, or 29 degrees C), salinities (5, 15, or 20 ppt), and water exchange (total or partial, every 48 h). Density affected the survival and growth of embryos, with the highest values observed at intermediate densities. Density, food ration, and water exchange did not affect larval survival but did affect their growth. Growth was higher in larvae maintained at low density levels, low food rations, and with total water exchange. Larvae maintained at intermediate and high temperatures also showed higher survival and growth rates. Finally, medium and low salinities favored larval survival, while intermediate and high salinities benefited growth. The high average values of survival (50 %) and growth rate (9 mu m d- 1) obtained in this study, along with reaching the competent larval stage in just 11 days, allow us to affirm that this clam has a high potential for hatchery production, especially when maintained at intermediate or low culture densities (5 zygotes per mL- 1 and 1 larva per mL- 1), low food rations (20 cells of I. galbana mu L- 1 d- 1), intermediate to high temperatures (between 27 and 29 degrees C), intermediate salinity (15 ppt), and with total water exchange. This work lays the foundational work framework for larval production of P. arctata in hatcheries, a crucial step for its cultivation and restocking efforts.