Comparison and Optimal Prediction of Goptimal prediction of growth of Babylonia areolata and B. lutosa

Abstract

Over the past decade, the ivory shells have been successfully exploited as important aquaculture organisms in Southern China. In this research, we measured the annual growth of shell length and body weight of two species including Babylonia areolata and B. lutosa (CBL) of ivory shells. a Chinese populations of B. areolata and B. lutosa, and a Thai population of B. areolata were studied. We used Mallows’ Cp criterion and three growth statistics models to explain and predict the growth pattern of B. areolata and B. lutosa. The results showed that under constant environmental conditions and the same artificial culture management regime, shell length and body weight did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between populations in initial cultural stage. However, the significant differences were found with an extension of the growth cycle; Notably, the growth curve of CBL body weight showed a decreasing tendency in the high temperature season, but the TBA and CBA growth patterns were reversed. The asymptotic growth of shell length in the logistic model, estimated using the Levengerg-Marquardt iteration, was 42.479, 47.300 and 41.031 mm for CBA, TBA and CBL, respectively. The asymptotic body weight in the Brody model was 20.890, 25.142 and 19.575 g for CBA, TBA and CBL, respectively. The results provide reference for breeding project and formulation or aquaculture management of B. areolata and B. lutosa.