Interrelations between hydrographic conditions, nanoplankton and bivalve larvae in the Mali Ston bay (southern Adriatic)

Abstract

       The Mali Ston bay (the southern Adriatic) is a promising shellfish farming region, where a good survival of bivalve larvae is possible due to relatively stable hydrographic and favourable feeding conditions. If compared with other locations along the eastern Adriatic coast, the Mali Ston bay is relatively rich in nanoplankton cells, predominantly 2-5.7 µm in diameter, as the most appropriate food for bivalve larvae. Detritus particles of up to 10 µm in size coated with adsorbable organic matter and attached bacteria are supposed to be important source of food for bivalve larvae in spring.