Abstract

D-veliger larvae from Mytilus chilensis broodstocks from natural banks of Punta Arenas and Chiloé (Chile) were grown at 9 ± 0.5 °C and 15 ±0.5 °C to compare results under two culture temperatures. During this experiment, larvae were fed Isochrysis galbana (clone T-ISO). The larvae were grouped into four groups depending on origin of broodstock and the culture temperature. The growth rate was statistically higher in the group from Punta Arenas at 15 °C, while settlement length was smaller in the group from Chiloé at 9 °C. In both cases, the remaining groups did not differ significantly. Settlement survival showed no significant differences between populations and temperatures. Both populations showed a better use of accumulated thermal units (°C day-1) during growth at 9°C than at 15 °C. Despite the genetic differentiation of the Punta Arenas population, the productive outcome of M. chilensis larvae from broodstocks from different latitudes is similar.