Morphological Trait Correlations, Gonadal Development Characteristics and Pleopod Nutrient Compositions of the Whelk <i>Volutharpa perryi perryi</i>
Linghui Yu,
Weijun Yin,
Senrong Han,
Tanjun Zhao,
Zhenlin Hao,
Donghong Yin,
Yaoyao Zhan,
Yaqing Chang
Affiliations
Linghui Yu
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Weijun Yin
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Senrong Han
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Tanjun Zhao
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Zhenlin Hao
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Donghong Yin
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Yaoyao Zhan
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Yaqing Chang
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
The aim of this study was to clarify the “morphological-trait–body weight” correlation, gonadal development characteristics, and pleopod (main edible part) nutrient composition of the whelk (Volutharpa perryi perryi). Live body mass (BM), soft tissue mass (STM), and eight other morphological traits of the whelk were measured, and path coefficients, correlation indices (R2), and coefficients of determination were then calculated. Gonadal development characteristics were investigated by histological observation. Pleopod nutrient composition was analyzed by standard biochemical assays. The results indicated that (1) shell aperture width (SAW) and body whorl height (BWH) were positively correlated with both live BM and STM (p p < 0.01) in male whelks; (2) similar gonadal development characteristics were observed in both female and male whelks; and (3) pleopod nutrient composition was consistent in both female and male whelks, whereas sex-specific variation in pleopod nutrient content was observed in the whelks. The observations in this study will provide theoretical support for the development of the whelk aquaculture industry.
