Studies on Eco-Biology of Indian Pearl Oyster Pincada Fucata(gould)

SUMMARY TO COVER PAGE Taxonomic studies using morphology, anatomy, and shell characteristics have revealed clearly that the taxonomic position of Pinctada fucata Gould is in the family Pteriidae. The distribution is mainly in the coralline patches of the coasts and the two Oceanic Islands of India. Gross productivity was correlated with the season and salinity. Seasonal and depth wise pattern and shade also had an effect on the settlement of barnacles and mortality of pearl oysters .The treatment mixed algae with raw rice flour given maturing oysters 62 percentage in lab conditions on day 29 itself . Matured stage III 43 percentage pearl oysters fed with mixed algae and without feeding changed to stage V. The larval life cycle was 20 to 25 days in Phase I. In the Phase II 23 to 60 day old spat, Phase III 60 to 2 years, and the growth rates were observed as 120 m and 64 m per day. The graft tissue deposited nacreous coating on the nucleus within 18 days on a 4 mm wax nucleus .The nacreous pearl sac formed on the shell bead nucleus which had produced good and lustrous pearls. The inner epithelial cells with mucous cells produced abnormal sac and D quality pearl .