AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Crassostrea virginica [WoRMS] | |
Authority | (Gmelin, 1791) | |
Family | Ostreidae | |
Order | Ostreida | |
Class | Bivalvia | |
Phylum | Mollusca | |
Synonym (?) | Dioeciostrea americana (Orton, 1928) Ostrea borealis (Lamarck, 1819) Ostrea canadensis (Lamarck, 1819) |
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Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Country: Brazil --> LME: 16. East Brazil Shelf Country: Canada --> LME: 7. Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf --> LME: 8. Scotian Shelf --> LME: 9. Newfoundland-Labrador Shelf Country: USA --> LME: 5. Gulf of Mexico --> LME: 6. Southeast U.S. Continental Shelf --> LME: 7. Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf Country: Mexico --> LME: 5. Gulf of Mexico; LME sub-region: Yucatan channel References (not structured): Buroker NE (1983) Population genetics of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Biology 75:99-112 Comments: NW Atlantic Crassostrea virginica naturally occurs in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, Canada, along the Atlantic coast of the United States to the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico and to the West Indies and the coast of Brazil. |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Kay EA, (1979) Hawaiian Marine Shells. Reef and Shore Fauna of Hawaii, Section 4: Mollusca. B.P. Bishop Museum Spec. Pub, 64(4):653 Comments: C. virginica is a benthic, broadcasting bivalve mollusc. C. virginica are abundant in shallow saltwater bays, lagoons and estuaries, in water 8 to 25 feet (2.5 to 7.5 m) deep. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Wilson C, Scotto L, Scarpa J, Volety A, Laramore S, and D Haunert. 2005. Survey of water quality, oyster reproduction and oyster health status in the St. Lucie Estuary. Journal of Shellfish Research 24:157-165. |
Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous References (not structured): Buroker NE (1983) Population genetics of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Biology 75:99-112 |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Buroker NE (1983) Population genetics of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Biology 75:99-112 Comments: The eastern oyster has separate sexes |
Developmental trait (?) | Planktotrophy Spawning References: Dame RF (1972) The ecological energies of growth, respiration, and assimilation in the intertidal American oyster Crassostrea virginica. Marine Biology 17:243-250. Buroker NE (1983) Population genetics of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Biology 75:99-112 Comments: Crassostrea virginica spawn in late June to November peaking in June and July when seawater temperatures are warmest. A female oyster can produce 15 to 114 million eggs in a single reproductive cycle. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Berquist DC, Hale JA, Baker P, and SM Baker. 2006. Estuaries and Coasts 29:353-360. Comments: Crassostrea virginica is a filter feeder. They suck in water and filter out the plankton and detritus to swallow, then spit the water back out, thus cleaning the water around them. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Wilson C, Scotto L, Scarpa J, Volety A, Laramore S, and D Haunert. 2005. Survey of water quality, oyster reproduction and oyster health status in the St. Lucie Estuary. Journal of Shellfish Research 24:157-165. |
Salinity tolerance range (?) | Venice system: 5. α-Mesohaline [10-18psu] 6. Polymixohaline [18-30psu] References: Gollasch S, Mecke R (1996) Eingeschleppte Organismen. In: J. L. Lozan, R. Lampe, W. Matthaus, E. Rachor, H. Rumohr & H. v. Westernhagen (Eds) Warnsignale aus der Ostsee. Parey Buchverlag, Berlin: 146-150 Wilson C, Scotto L, Scarpa J, Volety A, Laramore S, and D Haunert. 2005. Survey of water quality, oyster reproduction and oyster health status in the St. Lucie Estuary. Journal of Shellfish Research 24:157-165. Comments: Crassostrea virginica appears to have a higher tolerance of salinity fluctuation than other oyster species. The optimal salinity for growth and reproduction is 10 - 28 ppt (Wilson et al. 2005). Larvae will not settle and metamorphose into spat when salinity is less than 6 ppt (Wilson et al. 2005). Adult C. virginica can live in salinities up to 35 ppt. |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Keystone species OLD VALUE References: Meyer DL and EC Townsend. 2000. Faunal utilization of created intertidal eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs in the southeastern United States. 23:34-45. Berquist DC, Hale JA, Baker P, and SM Baker. 2006. Estuaries and Coasts 29:353-360. EOBRT (2007) Status review of Crassostrea virginica. Status review of Crassostrea virginica. 105 pp Comments: --/OLD VALUES/-- Bioconstructor Ecosystem engineer Perennial habitat former (Anna) Large beds provide habitat for numerous fish and invertebrate species, reduce water turbidity through filter-feeding, and physically serve as filter removing large material from the water as it passes over the reef. Oysters are considered a keystone species in most estuaries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and self-sustaining populations play an essential role in the ecology of these estuaries. C. virginica display a wide range of survival strategies. They are both colonizers and ecosystem engineers and have high reproductive potential. The species’ ability to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions (e.g. tolerance for low dissolved oxygen and wide ranges in salinity and temperature) makes it resilient. C. virginica inhabit a naturally viable environment, and evidence suggests that past local extirpations and colonizations have been common over geologic time |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not entered |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Not entered |
Known human health impact? | Not entered |
Known economic impact? | Not entered |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Not entered |
Included in the Target Species list? | Not entered |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Ballast waters References: Gollasch S, Macdonald E, Belson S, Botnen H, Christensen JT, Hamer JP, Houvenaghel G, Jelmert A, Lucas I, Masson D, McCollin T, Olenin S, Persson A, Wallentinus I, Wetsteyn LPMJ, Wittling T (2002) Life in Ballast Tanks In: Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impact and management. Leppäkoski, E., S. Gollasch & S. Olenin (eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers: 217-231 http://www.corpi.ku.lt/nemo/aqua_app_gollasch.pdf |
Molecular information | Available NCBI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi |
Last update by | Aleksas Narščius, 2019-03-12 |