Abstract
Effect of hypoxia and low salinity on the ark shell Scapharca kagoshimensis cultured within net-bags was examined under various environmental conditions in Honjo area of Lake Nakaumi, where obvious environmental gradient was formed after the partial opening of reclamation bank. It was clarified that cultured ark shells could survive under hypoxia (< 2 mg/l) for about two weeks in summer if they had been exposed to oxic sea water before. At low salinity (7-9 psu), survival time of ark shells was less than fifteen days. Sea water inflow through the opening of reclamation bank showed potential of making new habitat for the ark shells.
