Abstract

GOMEZ-ROBLES, Eliana; ACOSTA-SALMON, Héctor; MAZON-SUASTEGUI, José M  and  SAUCEDO, Pedro-E.. Seasonal variation in the reproductive and larval performance of the winged pearl oyster Pteria sterna associated with anomalous environmental conditions. Cienc. mar [online]. 2023, vol.49, e3353.  Epub Aug 12, 2023. ISSN 0185-3880.  https://doi.org/10.7773/cm.y2023.3353.

The reproductive and larval performance of Pteria sterna associated with anomalous environmental factors was evaluated, testing the hypothesis that the transition from La Niña to El Niño in 2008-2009 affected the “normal” periods in which ripe broodstock are collected and larvae are reared in a hatchery. Seasonal sampling included 2 reproductive periods (February and April 2009), 1 pre-reproductive period (November 2008), and 1 post-reproductive period (June 2009). Of the 40 oysters collected in each period, 20 were used for induced spawning and larval culture, while 20 were used to evaluate indices of reproductive performance. Water temperature, salinity, and seston content were monitored in each period. Sea surface temperature (SST) data associated with anomalous environmental conditions were obtained from the Aqua-MODIS satellite. Variations in SST affected reproductive performance more than larval performance in Pteria sterna. Spawning induction failed in November 2008 and succeeded in February, April, and June 2009, although only the larvae from April completed metamorphosis and settled, given the riper broodstock, larger oocytes, and favorable environmental conditions (21.80 °C; 31 mg·L-1 total seston; +0.50 °C SST). Positive SST anomalies (+0.50 to +1.10 °C) from August to December 2008 resulted in longer summer conditions that affected spawning in February 2009. In June 2009 (22.50 °C; 29.50 mg·L-1 total seston; +0.40 °C SST), when the percentages of ripe gonads and mature oocytes were small, the larvae were not viable, and few spat settled. In addition to collecting ripe broodstock in winter-spring for optimal larval and spat viability, we recommend including a brief conditioning period at the hatchery following the spawning peak and a second conditioning period in late autumn to promote nutrient recycling and natural gamete recovery.

Keywords : aquaculture; broodstock condition; larval culture; environmental conditions; ENSO.