Utilization of detrital complexes by the oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin)
The contribution of bacteria and nonliving particulate organic matter of detrital complexes to the nutrition of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, was investigated in the laboratory under normal feeding conditions. Results indicate the oysters were capable of assimilating crude fiber extracted from /sup 14/C-Spartina alterniflora with an efficiency of approximately 3% and that enteric bacteria did not enhance this process. Less than 1% of an oyster's energetic demands could be met by direct utilization of this substrate, in the Choptank River subestuary of the Chesapeake Bay. The potential contribution of refractory organics to oysters in large salt marshes having crude fiber concentration greater than in the Choptank system, are discussed. The ability of the oyster to utilize /sup 14/C and /sup 15/N from cellulolytic marine bacteria, isolated from a S. alterniflora dominated salt marsh, was also studied.
- Research Organization:
- Maryland Univ., College Park (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5193466
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
NITRATES
METABOLISM
ORGANIC MATTER
BACTERIA
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
DETRITUS
ESTUARIES
GRASS
OYSTERS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BAYS
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
MOLLUSCS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
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550501 - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques