| We applied, for the first time, a dynamic energy budget (DEB) growth model to the larval phase in the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera var. cumingii (Linnaeus, 1758) to evaluate the impact of spatio-temporal variation in the atoll lagoon environment on its capacity for development. The specific parameters of the model, which represent ingestion, temperature effect and the relationship between length and biovolume of the larvae, were determined from experiments or taken from the literature. The interpretation of the values of these parameters allowed us to identify the underlying adaptive character trait: P. margaritifera larvae have a good capacity to exploit low food concentrations and a narrow range of thermal tolerance restricted to hydrobiological... |
