Simulated breeding of Indian Pearl mussel, Lamellidens marginalis (L.) in laboratory condition

Abstract

Accomplishment in seed production of the freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis largely depends on a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In the present study, an attempt was made to elucidate the mode of reproduction, spawning, larval cycle, and juvenile production in captive conditions and to find out the fish host-mussel larval relationship. It was observed that L. marginalis is a prolific breeder and spawns round the year with a peak spawning activity from July to September. It is evident from the present investigation that life history of L. marginalis passes through various critical stages including development of glochidium larvae which have mandatory parasitic existence and their host specificity for being juveniles to adulthood. Result of the experiment suggested that Glossogobius giuris showed highly significant avg. no.of glochidium larvae infected per fish,54±2.0( p <0.05) followed linearly in increasing order by Catla catla, 25±1.8 and Labeo rohita, 22± 1.2 ,proved to be the best suited fish hot species for the attachment, parasitism and recovery of the glochidium larvae and juveniles. It has been observed that a glochidium larva takes 30-40 days for appropriate fish host to reach the juvenile stage at ambient temperature range of 28-310 C. However, the duration of larval metamorphosis is different with respect to different fish hosts tried. The glochidium larvae infestation was only recorded on the fins of the experimental fish.