Pomeroy et al. (2006) proposed that temporal and spatial mismatches between eastern oyster filtration and phytoplankton abundance will preclude restored stocks of eastern oysters from reducing the severity of hypoxia in the deep channel of central Chesapeake Bay. We refute this contention by presenting arguments, data, and model results, overlooked by these authors. Our analysis indicates that ...

This study investigated the non-neutrality of genetic polymorphism in two alpha-amylase genes (AMYA and AMYB) in the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Bi-parental oyster families, bred to be polymorphic for markers in these genes, were monitored for growth and survival for 1 year under standard culture conditions in two French production sites. Within-family genotype frequencies indicated that the two ...

We assessed the capacity of real-time PCR markers to identify the origin of contamination in shellfish. Oyster, cockles or clams were either contaminated with fecal materials and host-associated markers designed from Bacteroidales or Catellicoccus marimammalium 16S RNA genes were extracted from their intravalvular liquid, digestive tissues or shellfish flesh. Extraction of bacterial DNA from th...

Since 1995, hatchery-produced juvenile oysters have been planted on numerous natural oyster bars inMaryland in an effort to restore degraded reefs. As part of the monitoring effort, 27 discrete hatchery plantings spanning 10 y of restoration were sampled during late summer and fall 2009. Oyster shell height, dry meat weight, shell weight, and clump height all increased significantly with age.Pe...

The search for exotic pathogens related to the outbreaks and in surveillance samplings of the Mexican oyster farms, is a recent activity achieved by academic institutions and state committees for Aquatic Animal Health, with remarkable results. In samples of Crassostrea gigas collected through December 2009, January 2010 and November 2010, and of C. corteziensis in September 2011, the protozoan ...

The history of French oyster culture consists of a succession of developmental phases using different species, followed by collapses caused by diseases. The indigenous speciesOstrea eduliswas replaced first withCrassostrea angulata, thenC. gigas. France is now the top producer and consumer of oysters in Europe, producing around 120,000 t of the cupped oyster C. gigas annually, and an additional...

Through differential screening between oyster families selected for high and low summer survival, we have characterized a new transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily member. This novel factor, named oyster-gonadal-TGFβ-like (og-TGFβ-like), is synthesized as a 307 amino acid precursor and displays 6 of the 7 characteristic cysteine residues of the C-terminal, mature peptide. Sequence co...

We used high throughput pyrosequencing to characterize stomach and gut content microbiomes of Crassostrea virginica, the Easter oyster, obtained from two sites, one in Barataria Bay (Hackberry Bay) and the other in Terrebonne Bay (Lake Caillou), Louisiana, USA. Stomach microbiomes in oysters from Hackberry Bay were overwhelmingly dominated by Mollicutes most closely related to Mycoplasma; a mor...

Bonamiosis due to the parasite Bonamia ostreae has been associated with massive mortality outbreaks in European flat oyster stocks in Europe. As eradication and treatment are not possible, the control of the disease mainly relies on transfer restriction. Moreover, selection has been applied to produce resistant flat oyster families, which present better survival and lower prevalence than non-se...

With farmed British Columbia (BC) oysters containing higher cadmium concentrations than wild oysters, long-term exposure to cadmium through consumption of oysters has the potential to cause health risks. This study reports on a risk assessment for cadmium intake resulting from the consumption of BC-cultured oyster. The study concludes that Health Canada’s current recommended BC-cultured oyster ...