| A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effect of unialgal diatom diets and irradiance levels on the growth and survival of post-larval red abalone, Haliotis rufescens. Competent larvae were introduced to test containers previously inoculated with unialgal diatom cultures. Three diatoms of similar size were used, Navicula zostereti, Nitzschia bilobata, and Nitzschia closterium. Diatoms were supplied to the post-larvae in excess. The irradiance levels were 15 to 25 ;All orthogonal factors and interactions tested resulted in significant differences between treatments. Shell length (growth) and proportional survival were greater in the high irradiance treatment. The rank order of diatoms showing the greatest to the least growth are N. bilobata, N. zostereti, and N. closterium. Significant interactive effects between main factors warned of inconsistent relationships between these factors. |
