Abstract
Laboratory cultures of the mussel (Mytilus edulis galloprovincialis) larvae have been attempted, in order to obtain large amounts of pediveliger larvae which are used for studies on mechanisms of larval settlement. Adult mussels were collected from either Mutsu Bay, Aomori or Aburatsubo Bay, Kanagawa, Japan, from which D-shaped larvae were obtained by artificial fertilization and successfully cultured to the pediveliger stage. In a typical case, 7-10 individuals/ml of D-shaped larvae were cultured in 1 l and 10 l scales at 19±1°C by feeding 1.0-1.5×105 cells/ml of Isochrysis galbana. They reached the pediveliger stage 14-21 days from the start of culture. Shell heights at the time of appearance of pediveligers were 171.16±14.35-228.34±24.55 μm. Survival rates when larvae reached the pediveliger stage were 48.5-86.7%. Competent pediveliger larvae were allowed to attach and metamorphose on glass slides on which microbial film had formed. Metamorphosis was completed in 2-3 days, as confirmed by secretion of the adult shell. The rate of post-larval shell growth was approximately 22 μm/day. Thus, we were successful in developing a culture method for the mussel larvae.
