Article
Biology
Georges Hraoui, Sophie Breton, Gilles Miron, Luc H. Boudreau, Florence Hunter-Manseau, Nicolas Pichaud
Summary: This study investigated the impact of intermittent heat stress on the mitochondrial functions of the eastern oyster, revealing that oysters acclimated to 22.5 degrees C struggled more with heat shocks. However, both acclimated populations showed signs of potential recovery after the second heat shock.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tejashree H. Modak, Robert Literman, Jonathan B. Puritz, Kevin M. Johnson, Erin M. Roberts, Dina Proestou, Ximing Guo, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Rachel S. Schwartz
Summary: Genomic structural variations are widely observed in the eastern oyster, showing high interindividual variability and potential impacts on gene function; these variations may play a significant role in genetic diversity and evolutionary success.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Casey A. Craig, David W. Fox, Lei Zhai, Linda J. Walters
Summary: This study quantifies the ability of Eastern oysters to excrete microplastics in their biodeposits, finding that oysters of all sizes can excrete environmental microplastics, with smaller oysters being more efficient. These findings are important for resource managers and contribute to our understanding of microplastic accumulation in wild oyster populations, as well as their implications for oyster consumers.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Ann Arfken, Bongkeun Song, Standish K. Allen, Ryan B. Carnegie
Summary: The study investigated the effects of environmental conditions and oyster phenotypes on the composition and diversity of oyster larval microbiomes. It found significant differences between larval and water microbiomes, with hatchery and spawning having the most impact on microbiome composition. Despite no significant effect on microbiomes, larval developmental stages showed a decrease in species richness and a shift towards a more selective microbiome.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamara Ledoux, Jeff C. Clements, Luc A. Comeau, Gauthier Cervello, Rejean Tremblay, Frederic Olivier, Laurent Chauvaud, Renee Y. Bernier, Simon G. Lamarre
Summary: This study found that the sound produced by human activities has an impact on the behavior and physiology of Eastern oysters. The oysters immediately reduced their valve gape in response to simulated pile driving sound, but not drilling or boating sound. The pile-driving sound also resulted in a reduction of glycogen in the adductor muscle, but not triglyceride.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deanne S. Roopnarine, Peter D. Roopnarine, Laurie C. Anderson, Ji Hae Hwang, Swati Patel
Summary: Research shows that wild adult oysters inhabiting coastal waters in the northern Gulf of Mexico exhibited metaplasia in both ctenidial and digestive tract tissues at significantly higher frequencies after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 compared to geographic controls from Chesapeake Bay. However, evidence for a reduction of metaplasia following the oil spill from 2010 to 2013 is suggestive but inconclusive.
Article
Fisheries
Cassandra Leeman, Esther Martin, Struan Coleman, Matthew W. Gray, Thomas Kiffney, Damian C. Brady
Summary: Tidal impoundments, specifically lobster pounds, have the potential to bridge the gap between the fishing and aquaculture industries. Lobster pounds are uniquely positioned to overcome barriers to aquaculture entry and provide suitable spaces for oyster growth, as shown by the successful growth of oysters within the study pound.
Article
Ecology
Anna Manyak Davis, Louis V. Plough, Kennedy T. Paynter
Summary: This study aims to increase knowledge on intraspecific variability in oyster hypoxia tolerance and how prior exposure affects this tolerance. The results show that oysters exhibited significantly higher mortality and reduced heart rate when exposed to hypoxia, regardless of their source site. However, there were differences in heart rate reduction between oysters from hypoxic and normoxic sites. These findings suggest that while oysters with prior hypoxia exposure show similar survival rates in hypoxia, there are physiological differences in their tolerance, particularly for oysters with greater frequency of prior hypoxia exposure.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
John M. Carroll, Jacque L. Kelly, Laura M. Treible, Thomas Bliss
Summary: The study found a negative, nonlinear relationship between oyster density and groundwater flux, with high flux groundwater interrupting larval recruitment and leading to a decrease in oyster density. However, the condition and growth of juvenile and adult oysters were not affected by groundwater, suggesting that interruptions in larval recruitment may be due to low dissolved oxygen and pH conditions in high flux sites. The interaction between SGD and oysters appears complex and may be influenced by other variables, highlighting the need for future management efforts to consider SGD.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ximing Guo, Jonathan B. Puritz, Zhenwei Wang, Dina Proestou, Standish Allen, Jessica Small, Klara Verbyla, Honggang Zhao, Jaime Haggard, Noah Chriss, Dan Zeng, Kathryn Lundgren, Bassem Allam, David Bushek, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Matthew Hare, Christopher Hollenbeck, Jerome La Peyre, Ming Liu, Katie E. Lotterhos, Louis Plough, Paul Rawson, Scott Rikard, Eric Saillant, Robin Varney, Gary Wikfors, Ami Wilbur
Summary: The Eastern Oyster Breeding Consortium has developed two SNP arrays for the eastern oyster, enabling efficient genotyping and selection. These arrays provide easy identification and separation of selected stocks and can also be used for pedigree monitoring, assessment of oyster restoration success, and genetic improvement. The arrays will advance genomic research and accelerate the breeding of eastern oysters.
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristen M. Prossner, Hamish J. Small, Ryan B. Carnegie, Michael A. Unger
Summary: Bivalve mollusks, including oysters, have a high susceptibility to accumulating lipophilic organic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to their low metabolic potential. The consumption of oysters, which are known to have high levels of PAHs, can pose a serious public health concern in areas with high PAH contamination. This study presents a method to detect and locate complex mixtures of PAHs in oyster tissues using fluorescent immunohistochemistry, providing valuable insights into the internal partitioning mechanisms of PAH-exposed oysters and potential applications for studying PAH distribution in other organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Joanna S. Griffiths, Kevin M. Johnson, Kyle A. Sirovy, Mark S. Yeats, Francis T. C. Pan, Jerome F. La Peyre, Morgan W. Kelly
Summary: The salinity conditions in oyster breeding grounds in the Gulf of Mexico are expected to change drastically due to climate change and human-induced alterations in local hydrology. This study investigated the adaptive capacity of eastern oysters to low salinity through genetic variation and transgenerational plasticity. The results suggest that genetic variation, with a heritability estimated at 0.68 +/- 0.25, plays a key role in evolving traits for future salinity changes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dan Zeng, Ximing Guo
Summary: This study investigates the growth of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica at molecular levels by sequencing and comparing the mantle transcriptomes of large and small oysters. The results reveal differentially expressed genes related to shell formation and growth, and identify novel candidate genes and markers associated with these processes. The study also suggests the importance of both transcriptional modulation and functional polymorphism in determining growth.
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sarah K. D. Pease, Kimberly S. Reece, Jeffrey O'Brien, Patrice L. M. Hobbs, Juliette L. Smith
Summary: The study showed that harmful algal bloom species K. veneficum and P. cordatum can lead to larval oyster mortality even at low concentrations, potentially impacting oyster hatchery production.
Article
Zoology
Joanna S. Griffiths, Kevin M. Johnson, Morgan W. Kelly
Summary: This study identified genetic variation in the performance of eastern oyster larvae under low salinity conditions through a single-generation selection experiment. Pool-sequencing was used to test allele frequency differences at salinity-associated genes, revealing the genetic selection effects on low salinity performance during the larval stage.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
T. Reid Nelson, Crystal L. Hightower, Jeff Coogan, Benjamin D. Walther, Sean P. Powers
Summary: This study provides insights into the patterns of occupancy of Red Drum in oligohaline waters and their growth consequences. Oligohaline residency varied during the second and third years of life, with a positive relationship to river discharge. Life history diversity was present in the population, and oligohaline waters played an important role as nursery habitat for juvenile Red Drum.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Bryan DeAngelis, Jonathan R. Gair, Sophus zu Ermgassen, Ronald Baker, Andre Daniels, Timothy C. MacDonald, Kara Meckley, Sean Powers, Marta Ribera, Lawrence P. Rozas, Jonathan H. Grabowski
Summary: Seagrasses, salt marsh edges, and oyster reefs contribute to the enhancement of fish and invertebrate production, with varying levels of effectiveness. The difference in production enhancement between habitats is attributed to factors such as species-specific densities and commercial value. The quantification of production enhancement within specific embayments can guide habitat management decisions and emphasize the importance of habitat protection and restoration.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Meagan N. Schrandt, Pearce T. Cooper, Sean P. Powers, John J. Dindo, J. Marcus Drymon
Summary: This study assessed stock status of Atlantic Tripletail in the Gulf of Mexico by analyzing age-specific data, growth parameters, and mortality rates. Otoliths were found to be more accurate for aging, with slight differences in growth parameters between male and female Tripletail. Low levels of exploitation were indicated by estimated fishing mortality rates and natural mortality rates.
MARINE AND COASTAL FISHERIES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
T. Reid Nelson, Crystal L. Hightower, Sean P. Powers
Summary: The study estimated post-weigh-in mortality and dispersal of Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout in catch-and-release fishing tournaments, finding that the mortality of Red Drum was lower than that of Spotted Seatrout, and Spotted Seatrout dispersed more within 1 week post-release. Long-term stockpiling at release sites was not observed, indicating the potential effectiveness of live-release tournaments in reducing fishing pressure.
MARINE AND COASTAL FISHERIES
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Benjamin P. Gray, Mary Anne Bishop, Sean Powers
Summary: By studying piscivorous groundfish in the herring nursery fjords of PWS during winter, it was found that Pacific cod, walleye pollock, and big skate are key consumers of herring, showing seasonality and body size dependency in their consumption patterns.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Genevieve M. Ivec, Pearce T. Cooper, Jessica L. Carroll, Carissa L. Gervasi, Jennifer S. Rehage, John F. Mareska, Sean P. Powers, J. Marcus Drymon
Summary: The study aimed to generate baseline population dynamics parameters for Gulf of Mexico crevalle jack and examine the foraging habits of Mississippi and Alabama crevalle jack. The overall growth of crevalle jack was best represented by the logistic growth model, while sex-specific growth was best represented by a version of the von Bertalanffy growth function. Fishes were found to be more important than invertebrates in crevalle jack diet, and the diet varied among locations and years.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kelly S. Boyle, Crystal L. Hightower, T. Reid P. Nelson, Sean Powers
Summary: Estimating fishing effort is crucial for effective fisheries management. In this study, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was used to infer fishing effort at artificial reef sites in the Gulf of Mexico. By automatically detecting sounds indicative of fishing vessels, the method proved to be effective in monitoring daily and long-term patterns of fishing activity.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Crystal L. Hightower, J. Marcus Drymon, Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Emily A. Seubert, Simon Dedman, John F. Mareska, Sean P. Powers
Summary: The red drum is a popular sportfish in the Gulf of Mexico, but its management in federal waters is currently data-limited. This study aimed to address data gaps highlighted in the federal stock assessment by providing updated growth models, indices of relative abundance, habitat suitability predictions, and estimates of natural mortality. The investigation revealed that adult red drum were more abundant in state waters than in federal waters, indicating that the catch moratorium in federal waters is not fully protecting the adult spawning stock of red drum in the Gulf of Mexico.
Article
Ecology
Jonathan H. Grabowski, Christopher J. Baillie, Adam Baukus, Rachael Carlyle, F. Joel Fodrie, Rachel K. Gittman, A. Randall Hughes, David L. Kimbro, Juhyung Lee, Hunter S. Lenihan, Sean P. Powers, Kevin Sullivan
Summary: Coastal marine habitats are being degraded and in response there has been large-scale restoration efforts. This study examines the recovery of oyster reefs and their role in supporting fish and invertebrate communities. The results show that restored reefs can support similar faunal communities to natural reefs, with higher densities of prey species. The findings also highlight the importance of considering landscape setting in restoration decision making to enhance the recovery of ecosystem goods and services.
Article
Fisheries
Kelly S. Boyle, Crystal L. Hightower, Sean P. Powers
Summary: Management of recreational fishing for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico involves regulations and the use of descender devices to mitigate postrelease mortality. Our study found that depth and the use of descender devices did not have a significant impact on mortality risk and survivorship, while fish length was the most important factor affecting postrelease mortality.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelly S. Boyle, Crystal L. Hightower, T. Reid Nelson, Sean P. Powers
Summary: Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) can reveal spatial and temporal variation of fish sounds in marine habitats, providing insights into species composition, abundance, and behavioral patterns. In the Alabama Artificial Reef Zone (AARZ), PAM was used to describe fish sounds on different reef structures, revealing variations in sound detection rates and species richness. The study highlights the importance of underwater soundscapes for reef management, as they can serve as acoustic cues for fish locating reefs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Sean P. Powers, J. Marcus Drymon, Crystal L. Hightower, Liese M. Carleton, John M. Hoenig
Summary: We estimated the absolute abundance of red lionfish, gray triggerfish, and red snapper across an extensive network of artificial reefs using camera counts, indices of relative abundance, calibration factors, and index-removal estimators. From 2012 to 2017, per reef estimates increased for all three species, and network-wide absolute abundances were calculated by multiplying the average per reef estimate by the estimated number of reefs in the network. Our methodology demonstrates the value of fisheries-independent surveys in estimating absolute abundance and evaluating stock assessments.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kelly S. S. Boyle, Crystal L. L. Hightower, Sean P. P. Powers
Summary: Greater amberjack are active swimmers and their depth use and swimming activity are influenced by factors such as fishing-related stress and cyclonic storms. In this study, we found that fish displayed varied diel depth patterns and swimming activity, with some occupying a narrow depth range, others spending time at mid-water and near bottom, and others showing more generalized patterns. Depth use was influenced by site depth and field effort, while swimming patterns were mainly affected by field effort. Fishing stress was found to increase swimming activity, but release with a descender did not prevent altered diel patterns. The presence of cyclonic storms also impacted depth use and swimming activity. Overall, our study highlights the importance of understanding the factors influencing the behavior of greater amberjack.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sean P. P. Powers, Henry Roman, Jessica Meixner, Damrongsak Wirasaet, Steven Brus, Gail Fricano, Joannes Westerink
Summary: This study examines the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on oysters in the Gulf of Mexico and finds that local populations contribute a significant proportion of oyster larvae settlement, with strong connectivity between adjacent basins but weak connectivity between nonadjacent basins. Therefore, restoration efforts should focus on building connectivity within and among basins.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. Marcus Drymon, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Michael A. Dance, Mitchell Lovell, Crystal LouAllen Hightower, Amanda E. Jefferson, Andrea M. Kroetz, Sean P. Powers
Summary: Through the tagging efforts of citizen scientists, it was found that Atlantic tarpon exhibit consistent east-west movement in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with highest utilization distributions in the Mississippi River Delta. The study also revealed that Louisiana, as a critical part of their range, remains understudied in terms of tarpon space use and movement.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)