Abstract
An evaluation of the influence of environmental factors on the normal growth of young Anodonta cygnea was undertaken in semi-controlled conditions in the natural habitat. Organic and inorganic compounds and the microalgal population composition were analysed for I year in the lagoon habitat and correlated with bivalve length and weight variations. The results from the water samples showed a significant increase in calcium and magnesium in the spring-summer period, suggesting an influence on shell growth that is apparent at this time. Sodium potassium and chloride show no significant variations. The significantly higher lipid concentration in spring, albeit still at a low level, may be related to the increase in body weight during this season, whilst the stable protein and carbohydrate contents provide the bases for growth and metabolism, respectively. An appropriate combination of microalgae, including diatoms, chlorophytes and cyanophytes may be an important factor in the increase in length and weight of young bivalves during spring and autumn periods. This influence seems to be reinforced by association with mild temperatures (12-15degreesC). In contrast, a low rate of growth in summer and its virtual absence in winter are due to the presence, in substantial numbers, of only two kinds of microalgae and high or low temperatures. A high level of survival (85%) of young A. cygnea was observed during the 3-year period of culture. The correlation coefficient between length and weight during the early adult growth period was estimated to be 95%.

Abstract
Larvae of the freshwater swan mussel, Anodonta cygnea, were cultured in artificial media at the controlled temperature of 23 degrees +/- 2 degrees C, with successful metamorphosis for the first time. The artificial medium contained a mixture of M199, common carp plasma, and antibiotics/antimycotics. Glochidia were reared to the juvenile stage in the medium after 10-11 d of culture. After 15 d of controlled feeding with phytoplankton, the juveniles showed an elongated shell with several growth lines. Larval survival was 34.3 +/- 9.3%, whereas the proportion undergoing metamorphosis was <= 60.8 +/- 4.2%. The ultrastructure of early developmental stages was observed by scanning electron microscopy, from the glochidial to the juvenile stage. Glochidia had a hooked shell, with two equal triangular valves formed by a calcareous layer with numerous pores and covered by a thin cuticle of chitin-keratin. The appearance of the complete foot within 11 d of in vitro culture was considered the final feature of metamorphosis to the juvenile stage. The main alteration during juvenile development was the formation, under the glochidial shell, of a new periostracum with growth lines. The prominent foot, gradually covered by long, dense cilia, showed rhythmical movements involved in the capture of particulate matter. Similarly, cilia and microvilli present in the mantle also performed the same role. Longer cilia, sparsely distributed in the mantle, may function as chemotactile sensors.

Abstract
Oogenesis of the freshwater mussel Anodonta cygnea was investigated through histological examination over a 12-month period. All specimens were hermaphrodites, having gonads made up of numerous separate female and male acini. Female acini included oogonia with oocytes at different stages of development. Immature oocytes were attached to the acinar wall by a stalk, while mature oocytes were free within the acinus lumen. Several male and female acini were connected to a single germinal duct filled with mature germ cells. A maturity gradation scale was developed;which incorporated the characteristics of the acini, germinal epithelium, lumen and connective tissue. Although oogenesis seems to occur throughout the year, this scale has shown that oogenesis peaks during the summer months.

Abstract
Many Unionoida are considered to be extinct, endangered, or of special concern. These bivalves have complex life cycle stages that limit successful culture. In nature, the larvae (glochidia) of these bivalves must successfully parasitize a host (mainly fish) in order to metamorphose into juveniles. The two artificial methods used to obtain juvenile freshwater mussels in laboratory are either by induced attachment to host fish or by in vitro culture of glochidia. This article is focused on the in vitro method that represents a novel and alternative process to fish infestation, offering the ability to obtain larger numbers of juveniles without the need for host fishes and reducing the overall costs of propagation. In vitro culture requires a medium which fulfills the nutritional needs of each glochidia species and avoids microbial contamination. Recently, this methodology has presented excellent results with survival and transformation rates up to 94% using host fish plasma. High efficiencies on growth, and survival rates (84%) of juvenile freshwater bivalve Hyriopsis myersiana (Lea, 1856) up to 120 days were obtained when reared in adequate recirculating aquacultural systems using a very specific diet. More research is still needed to demonstrate successful propagation, mainly concerning the media nutritional composition to increase glochidia transformation and juvenile quality.

Abstract
Selenastrum, Chlorella and the Cyanophyta groups, important components of the phytoplankton in the natural habitat of Anodonta cygnea in Mira Lagoon, were used separately as experimental diet for Anodonta cygnea. To assess the effects of the different diets, several organic and inorganic compounds of the haemolymph and extrapallial fluid were measured. Protein content was significantly reduced with experimental Non Feed, and carbohydrate content with Non Feed, Selenastrum, Chlorella, and Cyanophyta diets compared to the control in the lagoon. Lipid contents in body fluids were similar among the different diet groups, with the exception of the Chlorella diet, which showed a higher value. In all diets, the inorganic elements, magnesium and chloride, presented a non-significant variation profile. The concentration of sodium and potassium was significantly affected in Selenastrum and Chlorella diets, observing in the Non Feed diet a minimum value for potassium. The non-significant variation of osmolality suggests the presence of a specific osmotic regulatory mechanism independent of the diet. A particular regulation mechanism seems to exist for both calcium and manganese ion inducing similar profiles for all experimental diets with higher contents in Selenastrum and Cyanophyta diets, respectively. The higher calcium ion concentration appears associated with lower protein-carbohydrate contents, probably due to weak calcium aggregation and deposition mechanism, except for the control and Mixture diets. In general, the concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds in the body fluids of Mixture-fed A. cygnea, were more similar to those found in the control diet group. This suggests that an equal mixture of the three algae, Selenastrum, Chlorella, and Cyanophyta, is more appropriate diet to provide the necessary nutrients for a normal maintenance of A. cygnea in the wild.

Abstract
One way to mitigate the high costs of doing science or business at sea is to create technological infrastructures possessing all the skills and resources needed for successful maritime operations, and make those capabilities and skills available to the external entities requiring them. By doing so, the individual economic and scientific agents can be spared the enormous effort of creating and maintaining their own, particular set of equivalent capabilities, thus drastically lowering their initial operating costs. In addition to cost savings, operating based on fully-fledged, shared infrastructures not only allows the use of more advanced scientific equipment and highly skilled personnel, but it also enables the business teams (be it industry or research) to focus on their goals, rather than on equipment, logistics, and support. This paper will describe the TEC4SEA infrastructure, created precisely to operate as described. This infrastructure has been under implementation in the last few years, and has now entered its operational phase. This paper will describe it, present its current portfolio of services, and discuss the most relevant assets and facilities that have been recently acquired, so that the research and industrial communities requiring the use of such assets can fully evaluate their adequacy for their own purposes and projects.