Utilization of detrital complexes by the oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin)

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5193466

Crosby, M P

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550501 -- Metabolism-- Tracer Techniques
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BACTERIA
BAYS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
DETRITUS
ESTUARIES
GRASS
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
MOLLUSCS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MATTER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OYSTERS
PLANTS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TRACER TECHNIQUES