Construction and comparison of individual growth models of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and Fujian oyster (C. angulata)

Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas and Fujian oyster, C. angulata are economically important shellfish in the northern and southern parts of China. In order to analyze the dynamic growth of the two oysters, individual growth models of the C. gigas and C. angulata in the mariculture area of Sanggou Bay and Shenhu Bay were constructed, based on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory. In this model, seawater temperature and the concentration of Chl. a were used as forcing variables, and the parameters were estimated from field measurements, model calibration and published data. The sets of data used to validate the model came from two long-term growth experiments performed on C. gigas and C. angulata. Results showed that: ① the DEB model developed here displayed good growth simulations and a significant correlation between the simulated and the observed values; ② parameters of upper boundary of tolerance range (T_H), lower boundary of tolerance range (T_L) and half-saturation constant for food (F_H) in the two oysters were different probably because of the different physicochemical environment, diet composition and the selective ingestion; ③ C. gigas showed slow-growing in winter (limited by water temperature and food), while C. angulata tended to be continuous-growing (mainly limited by food) during the simulated period. These results will provide a scientific basis for the subsequent development of ecological models and the assessment of oysters’ carrying capacity.