Inter-specific hybridization between Argopecten purpuratus and Argopecten irradians irradians

The purple scallop(Argopecten purpuratus) and the bay scallop(Argopecten irradians irradians) are all fast-growing Argopecten scallops.The bay scallop has been introduced into China 1980 s and has now developed into a large industry in China.Now the authors reported the introduction of purple scallops from Peru into China and the inter-specific hybridization between the bay scallopnms and purple scallops.In this study,the hybrids were produced by hybridizing A.purpuratus eggs with A.irradians irradians sperm.The results showed that the A.purpuratus eggs can be fertilized with A.irradians irradians sperm,and the resulted embryos can develop normally.Faster growth was observed in the hybrids compared with the pure-bred bay scallops during both the larval and adult stages.The average shell height,shell length,shell width and whole weight of the hybrids are 27.3%,25.2%,19.3%,and 107.0% larger than that of the pure-bred bay scallops,indicating a significant heterosis in the hybrids.