Seasonal Biochemical Alterations in Estuarine Clam Katelysia Opima Under Osmotic Stress along Bhatye Estuary, Ratnagiri (M.S.) India

Abstract

The physiological response of estuarine clam Katelysia opima under osmotic stress was studied by exposing average sized clams (30 to 35 mm) to various lower salinity ranges (control to 10% salinity) for the period of 8 days. Level of biochemical constituents (protein, lipid and glycogen) in selected tissues (hepatopancreas, gonad, foot and gill) after completion of 8 days exposure period were studied and taken as a measure of physiological alterations in osmotic stress. Biochemical alteration in the clam after exposure to lower salinity ranges were distinctly observed below 70% salinity range, where biochemical constituents significantly reduced in both reproductive and somatic tissues but with variation in range of reduction.