Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-78). Also available via the Internet.

The abalone Haliotis laevigata Donovan is commercially exploited in southern Australia; Haliotis scalaris Leach is a smaller, noncommercial species. This thesis describes the early life history of both species and other aspects of the fishery biology of H. Iaevigata required for fishery management. Both abalone species recruit onto a crustose coralline substratum variously from spring to winter. After settlement the growth rate of both species Is linear for a number of years (1 .7mm/month for H. Iaevigata and 1.1mm/month for H. scalaris) . Crustose coralline algae are the main food during the first year of life but thereafter the diet switches largely to drift algae and seagrass. Survival of newly-settled cohorts differed between years and between species. Overall, it appeared to be density Independent at low densities but density-dependent at high densities, Recruitment strength (measured at 2-1/2 - 3 years of age) and natural mortality of adults in a closed population was measured over 17 years at West I. There were sequences of strong and weak recruitments, but no relationship with presumed spawning stock size was apparent. Adult natural mortality rates ranged from 0.02 to 0.86 and were strongly density dependent. Stingrays were a major, and octopuses a minor, cause of mortality. The fecundity of H. Iaevigata was investigated at a number of sites and was adequately described by linear regressions of fecundity on total weight. Fecundity ratios and growth rate differed between sites and fecundity appears subject to phenotyplc and genotypic variation. The short and long term movement of H. laevigata was also examined, !n short term studies sexually mature Individuals aggregate during the spawning season but disperse randomly at other times of the year. In the longer term the amount of movement depends on availability of crevice space and size. Movement is also directional and, at one site, was toward that of the approaching swell. A method is described for estimating density of abalone by using a free-range search technique and adjusting for individual variation in power and efficiency of different divers and in differing degrees of habitat heterogeneity. The method is useful for estimating recruitment strength and density of abalone in surveys of abalone stocks.

The distribution of apple snail Pomacea canaliculata is islandwide but Pomacea scalaris is only found in southern Taiwan. In order to gain more information on the not well-known invasive species of P. scalaris, the growth and feeding of P. canaliculata and P. scalaris were studied. The hatching period of P. canaliculata (10.4¡Ó1.3 days) was shorter than that of P. scalaris (12.2¡Ó2.3 days). And, the hatching size of P. canaliculata was also smaller. Two weeks after hatching, a significant higher growth rate in P. canaliculata had been found. The 75-day growth equations for P. canaliculata and P. scalaris were y = 0.29x + 1.09 (p < 0.001) and y = 0.16x + 1.68 (p < 0.001), respectively. Feeding structures of mandible, radulae, central tooth and stomach in P. canaliculata were larger than that of P. scalaris. But, there was no significant difference in the length of gut between the two species. Food passing time in P. canaliculata (1.4¡Ó0.7 days) was less than that of P. scalaris (2.9¡Ó0.7 days). And, the approximate digestibility per day of P. canaliculata (44.41¡Ó24.02%) was higher than that of P. scalaris. Through the analyses of £_13C, £_15N, stomach content and feces, it is known that they have the same trophic level with similar food sources. Additionally, the values of £_13C and £_15N were significantly different between sites of JiouRu and Wugou-shui, Pingtung. In other words, the feeding environments were different between the two sites. Based on the results, it is concluded that the superiority of growth and feeding performance in P. canaliculata is important in shaping its wide distribution in Taiwan.

The distribution of apple snail Pomacea canaliculata are island-wide but Pomacea scalaris is only found in southern Taiwan. In order to gain more information on the not well-known alien invasive species, comparative studies on the reproduction and thermal tolerance of P. canaliculata and P. scalaris were conducted. Sexual dimorphism in shell morphology has been found in both species, with wider operculum in males. Positive correlation between shell length and penis sheath length or penis length has been observed in male P. canaliculata and P. scalaris, based on the samples collected during the period of December 2004 and March 2006, The width of penis sheath in P. canaliculata was greater than in P. scalaris. Positive correlation between shell length and the height and width of vestigial penis in female P. canaliculata and P. scalaris was also found. The width of vestigial penis in P. scalaris was greater than in P. canaliculata. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) in male P. canaliculata and P. scalaris was 68 and 60% and 31 and 33% in females. Their reproductive cycle was annual without seasonal peaks. Significant difference in thermopreferrenda was found between P. canaliculata and P. scalaris. The 24, 48 and 72-h lethal thermal minima temperatures in P. canaliculata and P. scalaris were similar, i.e. 9.8¡V11.8¢J. And, the 24, 48 and 72-h lethal thermal maxima temperatures were 33.1¡V35.9¢J. Based on the results, it is known that P. canaliculata and P. scalaris reproduce year-round and temperature is not a major factor in shaping the species distribution pattern in Taiwan.