BIOCHEMICAL INDICATOR OF QUALITY OF SCALLOP LARVAE PLACOPECTEN MAGELLANICUS

F. Pernet, R. Tremblay, E. Bourget, M. Roussy

Abstract :

Scallop hatcheries need to produce high quantities of eggs and larvae in order to sustain the increasing demand of the industry. However, pectinid egg quality is highly variable and may have important effects on mortality, growth and the success of metamorphosis. At present, it is impossible to predict juvenile production after broodstock spawning. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to produce a biochemical indicator of egg and larval quality based on lipid class 2) to verify if this indicator can predict mortality, growth or the success of metamorphosis. Three batches of scallop larvae expressed as triacylglycerol (TAG) sterol ratio were reflected in eggs. Secondly, we also found a correlation between the egg TAG-sterol ratios and subsequent larval mortality. Finally, our study shows a correlation between larvae TAG-sterol ratio and survival.

(GIROQ, Université Laval, Cité universitaire, Québec, G1X 7P4 Canada)

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