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

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