engleski

Importance of ciliated protozoa to the culture of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis L. in the Bay of Mali Ston, Croatia

This study addresses the influence of ciliated protozoans on the Black Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in Mali Ston Bay (Croatia), an important regional bivalve farming area. A peak in bivalve larvae, mostly Mytilidae, was noted a few weeks after an intensive development of ciliated protozoans. The smallest fraction of ciliates presents a suitable food resource for larvae, whereas the larger fraction appears to be the major for source for adult mussels. These favorable nutrition conditions occur at the onset of spawning and during the period at which larvae are most numerous.

bivalvia larvae; ciliated protozoa; Adriatic

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