Differential effects of temperature and salinity on growth and mortality of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound, Louisiana

Journal of Shellfish Research
By: , and 

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Abstract

Temperature and salinity and their interaction exert a major control on the life cycle of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), affecting reproduction, development, growth, and mortality. Quantifying specific temperature and salinity relationships on oyster growth and mortality has however proven difficult, with data suggesting potentially region-specific responses. Legacy and recent data from field tray studies from public oyster grounds in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound were used to estimate growth and mortality rates as a function of temperature and salinity. Previous studies conducted in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound reported differences in growth and mortality between the basins. In the present study, environmental conditions were synchronized to compare growth and mortality between basins at similar combinations of temperature and salinity. Results indicate that when temperature and salinity are the same (synchronized), seasonal oyster growth and mortality rates still differ between Barataria Bay and Breton Sound. Given the same salinity and temperature conditions, differences in growth and mortality rates between estuaries may persist due to differences in other environmental conditions (i.e., food quality and composition, hydrology, site history, salinity variation) or localized genetic adaptations to environmental conditions.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Differential effects of temperature and salinity on growth and mortality of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound, Louisiana
Series title Journal of Shellfish Research
DOI 10.2983/035.038.0212
Volume 38
Issue 2
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 10 p.
First page 317
Last page 326
Country United States
State Lousianna
Other Geospatial Barataria Bay and Brenton Sound
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