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6 April 2023 Nonconsumptive Effects of Crustaceans and an Echinoderm on Spat of the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791)
Maria Rosa, Mike Gilman, Sarah Anderson, Adrian Beckford, Ben Gelfond, Nicole Wright, David M. Hudson
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Abstract

Predation by crustaceans and echinoderms is a significant driver of mortality for sessile invertebrates in near-shore marine ecosystems. As a response, shellfish growers use predator exclusion cages to grow their product. Oysters grown in these cages and clams in and under nets have been observed to exhibit thinner, brittle shells, which is not optimal for market, nor for those being grown for restoration purposes. Here, the nonconsumptive predator effects of several native and nonnative predators on shell morphology of Crassostrea virginica oyster spat. Juvenile (1–3 mm) seed oysters were exposed separately to chemical cues of five different predators and one nonpredator crab were investigated and compared with control (no exposure) spat. Significant effects of predator presence on the total wet weight (g) of the spat was demonstrated, with the highest increase for spat exposed to black-fingered mud crabs (Panopeus, 1.70 mg d–1) and the biggest decreases for spat exposed to the European green crabs (Carcinus maenas—1.34 mg d–1) and the sea stars (Asterias rubens—1.47 mg d–1). Changes to oyster length (mm) and shell density (crushing resistance) were not significant. Implications for aquaculturists and wild bivalve populations are that growth could be negatively affected by the lack of predators on these important organisms.

Maria Rosa, Mike Gilman, Sarah Anderson, Adrian Beckford, Ben Gelfond, Nicole Wright, and David M. Hudson "Nonconsumptive Effects of Crustaceans and an Echinoderm on Spat of the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791)," Journal of Shellfish Research 42(1), 45-50, (6 April 2023). https://doi.org/10.2983/035.042.0105
Published: 6 April 2023
KEYWORDS
Asterias rubens
crabs
Crassostrea virginica
oysters
shell growth
shell strength
spat
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