Larval Culture of the Scallop Pecten Maximus (L)

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Abstract
Efforts were made to obtain viable eggs from the scallop Pecten maximus (L) by conditioning selected individuals, and by inducing spawning of apparently ripe individuals by means of physical and chemical stimulation. Ripe individuals would spawn if exposed to the air for approximately 2 h, and then re-immersed in seawater. Naturally spawned eggs gave the best percentage survival of larvae, but polyspermy and contamination with detritus and faeces associated with the method necessitated great care in controlling the amount of sperm present, and the use of strong antibiotics, at least during the first 48 h, to avoid an increase in the bacterial flora. Stirring was employed for the first 24 h. The larvae were maintained at a concentration of 3/ml in filtered seawater with various combinations of antibiotic. The most successful antibiotics were either streptomycin or chloramphenicol used separately or in combination at a concentration of 5 mg/l and 2 mg/l respectively. Penicillin, either alone or in combination, gave confusing results, but it was concluded that it gave no benefits and may have had deleterious effects. Monochrysis lutheri, at a concentration of 20 million cells/l, was added at the late trochophore stage so that the early veligers had food immediately available. At 15°C eggs developed to the trochophore stage in 24 h, and D-veligers were present after 48 h. Eyed larvae occurred from day 26, by which time the larvae were approximately 210 μm in length. The foot was also active from this time onwards. Experiments on settlement indicated no preference as regards the nature of the substrate, the larvae attaching to the lowest point in the vessel, irrespective of its nature, from day 30 onwards.

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