Age Estimation of Sea Scallop Larvae ( Placopecten magellanicus ) from Daily Growth Lines on Shells

Abstract

Larval sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) were reared in the laboratory and their shell growth lines were counted and used to estimate age in days. The first growth line was deposited 3 to 4 days after fertilization. Age estimates from growth-line counts were strongly correlated with the actual ages of the larvae. Photoperiod had no detectable effect on the rate of growth-line deposition.