Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1990

Journal

Journal of Shellfish Research

Volume

9

Issue

2

First Page

341

Last Page

346

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the settlement distribution of the oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) in relation to tidal zonation in an area where adult populations are largely confined to the intertidal zone. Hatchery-reared pediveliger larvae were interned in PVC tubes positioned at known tidal heights. The influence of non-tidal factors was limited: mesh covering the ends of the tubes prevented loss of larvae to dispersal or predation, the settling substrate was not colonized by competitors, and the effects of light and horizontal currents were minimized. Settlement was found to occur throughout the intertidal zone but predominated at the bottom of the tidal-depth gradient. Few oysters settled in the zone occupied by the adult populations, the intertidal position of which is hypothesized to be controlled by predation.

Keywords

oyster, Crassostrea virginica, intertidal zonation, settlement, microcosm

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