Suspended culture of Pinna rudis enhances survival and allows the development of a seasonal growth model for Mediterranean Pinnids

Abstract

A two-year growth study of 80 Pinna rudis individuals was conducted in offshore cages in the western Mediterranean Sea. A Von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted to monthly measured data of 40 individuals (Group 1), whereas length-dry weight relationship was established with the other 40 individuals (Group 2). Oceanographic data were sampled bimonthly. The individuals showed the fastest growth reported for a bivalve (1.32 mm day−1). Temperature acted as the main factor controlling growth, which showed strong seasonality, but phytoplankton availability acted as a limiting factor during the warmest periods of year. These data will be useful to understand P. rudis ecology. Furthermore, the length-dry weight regression is proposed as a tool for captivity diet confection of the critically endangered species P. nobilis. Natural mortality was 0% during the study period.