DEB parameter estimation for Saccostrea cucullata (Born), an intertidal rock oyster in the Northern Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) models describe the energy flow in organisms focusing on food assimilation and utilization for maintenance, growth and reproduction. In this paper, specific DEB parameters were obtained for the intertidal rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata, which has culture potential and important ecological functions in estuarine and coastal ecosystems along the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. Oyster samples were collected from natural oyster beds and used in a starvation experiment for 20 weeks in the laboratory. A sub-sample of starved oyster was used to record respiration rates and depletion of reserves was recorded by fortnightly measurements of flesh weight. Simultaneously, a group of oysters was used for physiological experiments and growth measurements, required for DEB parameter estimation. Consequently, Arrhenius temperature related parameters (i.e. TA, TL, TH, TAL, and TAH), shape coefficient (δM), volume specific maintenance rate (ṖM) and volume specific cost for structure ([EG]) were estimated using data from the respiration and starvation experiments. An iterative co-variation method was used to estimate the specific DEB parameters using the results of the physiological experiments, field observations and additional literature information. Estimated Arrhenius temperature was 5640 K, which applies between 297 and 305 K. Shape coefficient (δM = 0.159) was low, compared to other oyster species that characterized the morphology of the oyster. Volume specific maintenance rate (ṖM) was equivalent to 17.99 J cm−3 day−1, while 2377 J cm−3 was estimated as the volume specific cost for structure ([EG]). These efforts provide opportunities to apply the DEB model for better understanding the energetics of bivalves under sub-tropical conditions. It is concluded that the hydrometeorological aspects, i.e. a monsoon regime and high turbidity levels, are quite different from temperate regions and drives the physiological traits of shellfish organisms.