Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Studies on some aspects of biology and transplantation of the clam Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) in the Bheemunipatnam Backwaters

Volume 26 Issue 1&2

T. Apparao, S. Reuben and P. E. S. Manickam

Abstract

Studies on the growth of Meretrix casta (Chemintz) showed that the clams in the natural bed grew at the rate of 3.6-3.9 mm per month while the specimens kept in the cages showed growth rates of 0.9 mm and 0.77 mm per month respectively for on bottom and off bottom culture. The equation for length weight 3.2261. relation was found to be W - 0.0002221 L The spawning period of M. casta was found to be between April-May. Dispersal of clam seed in virgin areas did not yield fruitful results as there was heavy mortality due to floods.

Date : 31-12-1984