Ecophysiological evidence linking temperature variability and lion´s paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus growth yields in the field

The present work examines the fitness of lion's paw scallops at several locations in connection to historical temperature variability, in order to inform the site selection for the cultivation of Nodipecten subnodosus . Temperature-dependent tolerance limits and energy budget were analyzed in laboratory and compared to environmental thermal variability at five sites along the Baja California peninsula, two on the Pacific coast (PC) and three on the Gulf of California coast (GC), and to an updated analysis of published growth information from culture experiences in these same sites. Scope for growth determinations indicate that the optimum temperature for N. subnodosus is 22ºC, whereas its higher temperature limit ranged between 28 and 31ºC, depending on acclimation temperature. Little differences between sites were observed for the proportion of time for which the temperature in the field coincides with the laboratory-derived optimal, whereas a clear distinction can be observed for the tolerance range, where high temperatures are only slightly attained at the PC sites (0 and 4 %), but ranges between 19 % and 30 % for the GC sites. The analysis of growth data from previous studies grossly coincides with higher growth rates at PC than at GC sites. Based on our observations we pose that thermal variability conditions along the PC should be preferred over the GC for the culture of this species, although site selection must also consider other environmental variables and dimensions, such as food availability, environment quality, culture methods, and socioeconomic aspects. • Optimum temperature of Nodipecten subonosus inferred from scope for growth was 22°C. • Lethal temperature of Nodipecten subonosus ranged from 28 and 31°C. • Site-specific temperature records match the performance of the species. • Pacific cost of Baja California is recommended for the culture of the species.