Identification of Ruditapes philippinarum and Meretrix lusoria Larvae Using Single Cell PCR Analysis and Microscopic Observation

Abstract

To identify free living bivalve larvae in the coastal waters of Taean marine ranch of Korea, single cell PCR analysis and light and scanning electron microscopic observation were applied. Isolated two venerid clam larvae by DNA sequencing were identified with Ruditapes philippinarum (99% of similarity) and Meretrix lusoria (99%). In microscopic observation, R. philippinarum in a D-veliger stage had symmetrical shoulder angles and an elliptical ventral form, in contrast to the asymmetrical shoulder angles and a round ventral form of M. lusoria in an umbonal stage. Size of the R. philippinarum larva was 156 ± 22 μm in length, 126 ± 12 μm in height, 92 ± 14 μm in width and 1.23 in ratio of length vs. height. M. lusoria was 202 ± 44 μm in length, 161 ± 35 μm in height, 96 ± 38 μm in width and 1.25 in ratio of length vs. height. These results indicate that for two venerid clam larvae, the characteristics in morphological and molecular information provide the evidence for larval identification in a nature.