Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The ecological energies of growth, respiration and assimilation in the intertidal American oyster Crassostrea virginica

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seasonal variations in the growth, respiration and assimilation of the intertidal oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) of different sizes were determined. The instantaneous growth rates for intertidal oysters decreased with increasing size and with lower temperatures. Q10 values computed from instantaneous growth rates were approximately 2 during the warm growing season, but were higher in the colder months. Oxygen consumption increased with temperature and body size. A model was developed to predict oxygen consumption at any environmental temperature from 10° to 30°C for oysters ranging in weight from 0.1 to 100.0 g. Q10 values computed from oxygen-consumption rates decreased with increasing temperature and increasing body size. Intertidal oysters utilize a large proportion of their assimilated energy in growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Bayne, B. L.: Growth and delay of metamorphosis of the larvae of Mytilus edulis. Ophelia 2, 1–47 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dame, R. F.: The ecological energies of growth, respiration and assimilation in the intertidal American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Ph. D. Dissertation, 81 pp. University of South Carolina 1971.

  • Dame, R. F.: Allometric comparisons of some morphological characteristics of the American oyster. Fish. Bull. U.S. (1972). (In press).

  • Dehnel, P. A.: Rates of growth of gastropods as a function of latitude. Physiol. Zoöl. 28, 115–144 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Growth rates in latitudinally and vertically separated populations of Mytilus californianus. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 110, 43–53 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Galtsoff, P. S.: The American oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). Fishery Bull. Fish Wildl. Serv. U.S. 64, 1–480 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A. C.: Cell physiology, 671 pp. Philadelphia: Saunders 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunter, G.: Comments on the shape, growth and quality of the American oyster. Science, N.Y. 88, 546–547 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemmingsen, A. M.: Energy metabolism as related to body size and respiratory surfaces, and its evolution. Rep. Steno meml Hosp. 9 (2), 1–110 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R. N.: An energy budget for a tidal-flat population of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana. J. Anim. Ecol. 39, 357–381 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, R. M. and C. E. Dawson: Growth of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in Florida waters. Bull. mar. Sci. Gulf Caribb. 2, 393–404 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuenzler, E. J.: Structure and energy flow of a mussel population in a Georgia salt marsh. Limnol. Oceanogr. 6, 191–204 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • McHugh, J. L. and J. D. Andrews: Computation of oyster yields in Virginia. Proc. natn. Shellfish. Ass. 45, 217–239 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Morowitz, H. S.: Energy flow in biology, 179 pp. New York: Academic Press 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillipson, J.: Ecological energetics, 57 pp. London: Arnold 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, K. P. and T. H. Bullock: Q10 as a function of size and habitat temperature in poikilotherms. Am. Nat. 88, 33–44 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricker, W. E.: Handbook of computations for biological statistics of fish populations. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 119, 1–300 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Methods for assessment of fish production in fresh waters, IBP Handbook No. 3. 313 pp. Oxford: Blackwell's 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smalley, A. E.: Energy flow of a salt marsh grasshopper population. Ecology 41, 672–677 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Steel, R. G. D. and J. H. Torrie: Principles and procedures of statistics, 481 pp. New York: McGraw-Hill 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J. D. H. and T. R. Parsons: A practical handbook of sea water analysis. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 167, 1–311 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, F. J. and W. B. Vernberg: The animal and the environment, 398 pp. New York: Holt, Reinhart & Winston 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiegert, R. G.: Thermodynamic considerations in animal nutrition. Am. Zool. 8, 71–81 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeuthen, E.: Oxygen uptake as related to body size in organisms. Q. Rev. Biol. 28, 1–12 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. R. F. Dame

    Present address: Coastal Carolina College, 29526, Conway, South Carolina, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Belle W. Baruch Coastal Research Institute, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA

    R. F. Dame

Authors
  1. R. F. Dame
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami

Supported by a Belle W. Baruch Fellowship in Marine Ecology.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dame, R.F. The ecological energies of growth, respiration and assimilation in the intertidal American oyster Crassostrea virginica . Marine Biology 17, 243–250 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00366299

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00366299

Keywords

Search

Navigation