Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1994

Journal

Journal Of Shellfish Research

Volume

13

Issue

1

First Page

157

Last Page

164

Abstract

Reproductive activity in oysters, Crassostrea virginica Gmelin, in the James River, Virginia, was examined for 1987 from weekly estimates for fecundity and egg viability in oysters collected from Wreck Shoal, and for 1988 from weekly estimates of fecundity, egg viability, gonad volume fraction, gonad thickness, and mean egg size in oysters collected from Horsehead Reef. Maximum and mean fecundity values from Wreck Shoal oysters were higher than from Horsehead oysters. No relationship was evident between fecundity and egg viability at Horsehead Reef. A strong temporal relationship was observed between egg viability and peak oyster settlement in the James in both years of the study as estimated by off-bottom settlement substrates. In 1987 highest viability occurred from late June through mid August with peak settlement occurring from mid June through late August. In 1988 viable eggs were recorded from late July through the end of August; major settlement occurred from early August through mid September. Fishery independent estimates of oyster population abundance on Horsehead Reef, when combined with concurrent egg production and viability data, illustrate the losses that occur during the early life history stages of oysters in this location.

Keywords

Oyster; Crassostrea-Virginica; James River; Fecundity; Gonad Volume Fraction; Eggs; Oyster Settlement

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