Abstract

The rock oyster Striostrea prismatica is one of the most abundant species in the rocky coastal ecosystems of the tropical and subtropical eastern Pacific; however, natural banks are overexploited or depleted, so production by culture is recommended. Adult S. prismatica obtained from natural banks were conditioned for gonad maturation and spawning. Fertilization, embryogenic, and larval development were performed under laboratory conditions, then settlement of pediveliger larvae and nursing of postlarvae were performed using downwelling methods to produce spat. The early life cycle (embryonic, larval, and postlarval development up to 5 mm in length) is described. The larval development was completed in 22 days, with survival >25%. The larval and postlarval growths were exponential reaching spat size (5 mm) after 28 days of settlement. The methods used in this study supported successful larval and postlarval culture of S. prismatica and provide a basis for large-scale propagation of this species.