Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Atlantic): American oyster. [Crassostrea virginica]
The American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is an important commercial and recreational species. Spawning occurs continuously in warmer months. Larvae are planktonic and are distributed throughout estuaries by tidal currents. After a 2- to 3-week planktonic stage, larvae permanently attach to a solid substrate. In the South Atlantic region, this solid substrate is usually the shell of other oysters growing in the intertidal zone. This gregarious behaivor results in formation of massive intertidal reefs that are a prominent feature of high salinity bays, creeks and sounds in the region. These reefs serve as habitat and foraging grounds for other species. Oysters tolerate salinity from about 5 ppt to above 40 ppt and temperatures from below freezing to nearly 50/sup 0/C.
- Research Organization:
- South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept., Charleston (USA). Marine Resources Research Inst.
- OSTI ID:
- 7146014
- Report Number(s):
- TR-EL-82-4/82-11-57; ON: TI87900134
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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