This study describes an image analysis method that has been used to analyze early life stages behavior of native oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from the Arcachon Bay (SW, France). In a second time, this study evaluated the impact of Cu and S-metolachlor pollutants on D-larvae behavior and possible relationship between developmental malformations and abnormal swimming behavior. Analyses in wild and cultivated oyster D-larvae were investigated during two breeding-seasons (2014 and 2015) at different sampling sites and dates. In control condition, the average speed of larvae was 144 µm.s -1 and the maximum speed was 297 µm.s -1 while the trajectory is mainly rectilinear. In the presence of environmental concentration of copper or S-metolachlor, no significant difference in maximum or average larval speed was observed compared to the control condition but the percentage of circular trajectory increased significantly while the rectilinear swimming larvae significantly declined. The current study demonstrates that rectilinear trajectories are positively correlated to normal larvae while larvae with shell anomalies are positively correlated to circular trajectories. This aberrant behavior could impacts the survival and spread of larvae and consequently the recruitment and colonization of new habitats.
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