Low-salinity tolerance of early-stage oyster larvae from a mesohaline estuary

Scharping, Robert J.; Plough, Louis V.; Meritt, Donald W.; North, Elizabeth W.

doi:10.3354/meps12905

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Estuarine salinity conditions in the northern Gulf of Mexico are predicted to undergo drastic changes due to climate change and coastal management activities [ 34 , 35 ], which will negatively affect oyster productivity [ 36 ]. Our results are in agreement with many other studies that have observed reduced fitness at low salinities at multiple life stages [ 31 , 33 , 47 ] . We observed reduced growth, but similar mortality, for both adults and larvae under low-salinity conditions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Transgenerational plasticity and the capacity to adapt to low salinity in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Griffiths¹,

Johnson

Sirovy

et al. 2021

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Salinity conditions in oyster breeding grounds in the Gulf of Mexico are expected to drastically change due to increased precipitation from climate change and anthropogenic changes to local hydrology. We determined the capacity of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica , to adapt via standing genetic variation or acclimate through transgenerational plasticity (TGP). We outplanted oysters to either a low- or medium-salinity site in Louisiana for 2 years. We then crossed adult parents using a North Carolina II breeding design, and measured body size and survival of larvae 5 dpf raised under low or ambient salinity. We found that TGP is unlikely to significantly contribute to low-salinity tolerance since we did not observe increased growth or survival in offspring reared in low salinity when their parents were also acclimated at a low-salinity site. However, we detected genetic variation for body size, with an estimated heritability of 0.68 ± 0.25 (95% CI). This suggests there is ample genetic variation for this trait to evolve, and that evolutionary adaptation is a possible mechanism through which oysters will persist with future declines in salinity. The results of this experiment provide valuable insights into successfully breeding low-salinity tolerance in this commercially important species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Transgenerational plasticity and the capacity to adapt to low salinity in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Griffiths¹,

Johnson

Sirovy

et al. 2021

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…The observed neutral population structure uncovered in this study may be related to the influence of salinity on larval dispersal. Salinity influences larval duration, growth, and survival (Davis, 1958; Hidu & Haskin, 1978; Kennedy, 1996; Scharping et al, 2019) during the period when oysters disperse. Salinity is also a critical factor that cues vertical swimming behavior and transport of oyster larvae in laboratory (Hidu & Haskin, 1978; Newell et al, 2005), field (Carriker, 1951; Nelson & Perkins, 1931), and modeling studies (Dekshenieks et al, 1996; Narváez et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome‐wide analysis of natural and restored eastern oyster populations reveals local adaptation and positive impacts of planting frequency and broodstock number

Hornick

Plough

2021

Evolutionary Applications

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The release of captive-bred plants and animals has increased worldwide to augment declining species. However, insufficient attention has been given to understanding how neutral and adaptive genetic variation are partitioned within and among proximal natural populations, and the patterns and drivers of gene flow over small spatial scales, which can be important for restoration success. A seascape genomics approach was used to investigate population structure, local adaptation, and the extent to which environmental gradients influence genetic variation among natural and restored populations of Chesapeake Bay eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica. We also investigated the impact of hatchery practices on neutral genetic diversity of restored reefs and quantified the broader genetic impacts of large-scale hatchery-based bivalve restoration. Restored reefs showed similar levels of diversity as natural reefs, and striking relationships were found between planting frequency and broodstock numbers and genetic diversity metrics (effective population size and relatedness), suggesting that hatchery practices can have a major impact on diversity. Despite long-term restoration activities, haphazard historical translocations, and high dispersal potential of larvae that could homogenize allele frequencies among populations, moderate neutral population genetic structure was uncovered. Moreover, environmental factors, namely salinity, pH, and temperature, play a major role in the distribution of neutral and adaptive genetic variation. For marine invertebrates in heterogeneous seascapes, collecting broodstock from large populations experiencing similar environments to candidate sites may provide the most appropriate sources for restoration and ensure population resilience in the face of rapid environmental change. This is one of a few studies to demonstrate empirically that hatchery practices have a major impact on the retention of genetic diversity. Overall, these results contribute to the growing body of evidence for fine-scale genetic structure and local adaptation in broadcast-spawning marine species and provide novel information for the management of an important fisheries resource.

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“…during dry years and upstream sites experience hypoosmotic conditions (< 5) during wet years, both of which can inhibit early developing larvae and recently metamorphosed spat (Scharping et al, 2019). Although salinities at BI remained more moderate, with less extreme hyper-and hyposaline events compared to other sites, this salinity range also created ideal conditions for P.…”

Section: Source Sink Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of freshwater release on oyster reef density, reproduction, and disease in a highly modified estuary

McFarland

Rumbold

Loh

et al. 2022

Environ Monit Assess

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Few estuaries remain unaffected by water management and altered freshwater deliveries. The Caloosahatchee River Estuary is a perfect case study for assessing the impact of altered hydrology on natural oyster reef (Crassostrea virginica) populations. The watershed has been highly modified and greatly enlarged by an artificial connection to Lake Okeechobee. Accordingly, to generate data to support water management recommendations, this study monitored various oyster biometrics over 15 years along the primary salinity gradient. Oyster reef densities were significantly affected by both prolonged high volume freshwater releases creating hyposaline conditions at upstream sites and by a lack of freshwater input creating hypersaline conditions at downstream sites. Low freshwater input led to an increase in disease caused by Perkinsus marinus and predation. Moderate (< 2000 cfs) and properly timed (winter/spring) freshets benefited oysters with increased gametogenesis, good larval mixing, and a reprieve from disease. If high volume freshets occurred in the late summer, extensive mortality occurred at the upstream site due to low salinity. These findings suggest freshwater releases in the late summer, when reproductive stress is at its peak and pelagic larvae are most vulnerable, should be limited to < 2000 cfs, but that longer freshets (1-3 weeks) in the winter and early spring (e.g., December-April) benefit oysters by reducing salinity and lessening disease intensity. Similar strategies can be employed in other Please note that this is an author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available on the publisher Web site.managed systems, and patterns regarding the timing of high volume flows are applicable to all estuaries where the management of healthy oyster reefs is a priority.

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Low-salinity tolerance of early-stage oyster larvae from a mesohaline estuary

Cited by 12 publications

References 26 publications

Transgenerational plasticity and the capacity to adapt to low salinity in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Transgenerational plasticity and the capacity to adapt to low salinity in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Genome‐wide analysis of natural and restored eastern oyster populations reveals local adaptation and positive impacts of planting frequency and broodstock number

Effects of freshwater release on oyster reef density, reproduction, and disease in a highly modified estuary

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