An improved method for in vitro culture of glochidia in freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata (Mollusca, Bivalvia)

We established an improved method for in vitro culture of glochidia in freshwater mussel Cristaria plicata and compared the transformation percentage in L-15 basic medium supplemented with different plasma from host fish or two non-host fish species. The results showed that the metamorphosis rate of glochidia cultured with host fish plasma and non-host fish plasma was all above 96%. High-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly lower in host fish plasma than in non-host fish plasma (P < 0.05), suggesting that LDL may be an important nutrient for glochidia metamorphosis. There were no significant differences in the 15-day survival and growth of juvenile mussels obtained from groups with non-host fish plasma under 1100/dish (C5) and a high concentration of antibiotics (D7), as compared with the control (A4) (P > 0.05). The method developed herein not only provides a simplified in vitro culture method for glochidia at a reduced cost, but it also improves the culture efficiency. The method and medium composition may be further improved in studies investigating the long-term growth of juvenile mussels, and it would greatly benefit artificial breeding and germplasm resource preservation for this important species.