Changes in tissue composition during larval development of the blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.)

Abstract

This paper reports on the changes in proximate composition (i.e. protein, lipid and carbohydrate) of tropical blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L., 1758), larvae throughout development. Protein was the largest component of dried larval tissues. Mean protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents all decreased from Day 1 to Day 4. Lipid loss between Day 1 and Day 4 contributed 56% of the total energy utilised during this period, whereas protein contributed almost 40%. Between Day 18 and Day 21, the accumulation of lipid contributed almost 70% of the total energy gain per larva during this period, suggesting that lipid may be the primary energy reserve utilised during metamorphosis. Patterns of energy reserve composition, utilisation and accumulation within P. margaritifera larvae were comparable to those reported for temperate species.