Gametogenesis and Growth of Induced Triploid Japanese Pearl Oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii

Abstract

Gametogenesis and growth of induced triploid pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii were examined between one and two years of age in Gokasho Bay, Mie, Japan. Although the gametogenesis in triploids was impaired compared with that in diploids, triploids produced mature oocytes and sperm. Frequency of hermaphrodites among triploids at 12 and 24 months of age were 27 % and 20 %, respectively, while no hermaphrodites were observed among diploids.
Shell height, shell width, and soft body wet weight of triploids at 21 and 26 months of age were significantly larger than those of diploids, while those of triploids at 12 months were smaller than those of diploids. These results suggest that better the growth of triploids may be related to their reduced reproductive activity.