Larval development of the oyster Saccostrea cucullata (Born)

Abstract

The oyster Saccostrea cucullata was induced to spawn in the laboratory by increasing the water temperature and by addition of sperm extract. Fertilized eggs developed into straight-hinge stage with a shell length of 65 mu m. The larval shell developed umbo at about 90 mu m length. Twenty eight days are required for the complete development from the time of development of straight-hinge stage upto the period of metamorphosis. The description of the larval stages is presented in the paper