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Presentation Type
Presentation
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Juliana Harding, Marine science
Major
Marine Science
Presentation Abstract
Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) provide ecological services in many estuaries. Individual physiological rates and scope for growth are influenced by ambient temperature, salinity, and food conditions. The seasonality of internal shell growth signature deposition in North Inlet estuary, South Carolina oysters was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative analyses of shells collected at monthly intervals. A cross-section along the growth axis of each left valve was used to measure the distance from the previous growth signature to the terminal edge, which was the newest growth increment at the time of collection. Distance measurements standardized to shell height (to correct for ontogeny) will be related to measured ambient habitat conditions during the growth interval. A deeper understanding of internal growth signatures and the effects of temperature, salinity, and food availability will thereby provide insight on local oyster growth patterns and the associated ecosystem services.
Location
Virtual Session Room 1
Start Date
21-4-2021 4:10 PM
End Date
21-4-2021 4:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Klein, James, "A sclerochronological analysis of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in North Inlet estuary, South Carolina" (2021). Undergraduate Research Competition. 25.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2021/fullconference/25
A sclerochronological analysis of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in North Inlet estuary, South Carolina
Virtual Session Room 1
Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) provide ecological services in many estuaries. Individual physiological rates and scope for growth are influenced by ambient temperature, salinity, and food conditions. The seasonality of internal shell growth signature deposition in North Inlet estuary, South Carolina oysters was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative analyses of shells collected at monthly intervals. A cross-section along the growth axis of each left valve was used to measure the distance from the previous growth signature to the terminal edge, which was the newest growth increment at the time of collection. Distance measurements standardized to shell height (to correct for ontogeny) will be related to measured ambient habitat conditions during the growth interval. A deeper understanding of internal growth signatures and the effects of temperature, salinity, and food availability will thereby provide insight on local oyster growth patterns and the associated ecosystem services.