Substrate is an important abiotic factor for burrowing shellfish,as it not only provides them with shelter,but also impose significant effect on their physiological metabolism.However,the physiological responses of bu...Substrate is an important abiotic factor for burrowing shellfish,as it not only provides them with shelter,but also impose significant effect on their physiological metabolism.However,the physiological responses of burrowing clams within various substrates get less attention due to difficulty in carrying out physiological tests in buried conditions.Consequently,this study investigated the burrowing behavior,feeding physiology and energy budget of Paphia undulata,which is an important aquaculture bivalve species in south China.The clams were exposed to mud and sand substrates with variable physical properties in the laboratory,to determine the suitable substrate conditions for this species.The results showed that the percentage of burrowing clams,digging index,burrowing time,burrowing depth and scope for growth(SFG)were higher in mud substrates with≥40%water content.Likewise,burrowing percentage,digging index,and burrowing depths were higher in substrates with≤40%sand content.Moreover,the burrowing depth had significant effect on the feeding physiology and SFG of P.undulata as clams burrowed at 6.3±1.8 cm had higher clearance rates and SFG as compared to other buried depths.This study further revealed that low water content in the sediment inhibited physiological performances of P.undulata by impairing feeding or absorption,hence reducing the SFG.In conclusion,mud substrate with≥40%water content or with≤40%sand content is suitable for proper burrowing and growth of P.undulata.Our findings therefore provide fundamental knowledge that will be applicable in the improvement of bottom aquaculture and conservation of P.undulata.展开更多
基金Supported by the Guangxi Science and Technology Base and Talent Special Project (No.AD23026114)。
文摘Substrate is an important abiotic factor for burrowing shellfish,as it not only provides them with shelter,but also impose significant effect on their physiological metabolism.However,the physiological responses of burrowing clams within various substrates get less attention due to difficulty in carrying out physiological tests in buried conditions.Consequently,this study investigated the burrowing behavior,feeding physiology and energy budget of Paphia undulata,which is an important aquaculture bivalve species in south China.The clams were exposed to mud and sand substrates with variable physical properties in the laboratory,to determine the suitable substrate conditions for this species.The results showed that the percentage of burrowing clams,digging index,burrowing time,burrowing depth and scope for growth(SFG)were higher in mud substrates with≥40%water content.Likewise,burrowing percentage,digging index,and burrowing depths were higher in substrates with≤40%sand content.Moreover,the burrowing depth had significant effect on the feeding physiology and SFG of P.undulata as clams burrowed at 6.3±1.8 cm had higher clearance rates and SFG as compared to other buried depths.This study further revealed that low water content in the sediment inhibited physiological performances of P.undulata by impairing feeding or absorption,hence reducing the SFG.In conclusion,mud substrate with≥40%water content or with≤40%sand content is suitable for proper burrowing and growth of P.undulata.Our findings therefore provide fundamental knowledge that will be applicable in the improvement of bottom aquaculture and conservation of P.undulata.
