Revision of genusCrassostrea(Bivalvia: Ostreidae) of Brazil

Abstract

The Ostreidae are well known for their high intra-specific variation, which makes identification problematic. The present paper aims to provide a morpho-anatomical and taxonomic review of the Brazilian species of Crassostrea, as well as some congeneric species from other relevant areas. The Brazilian species are Crassostrea mangle sp.nov. and Crassostrea brasiliana. The exotic species Crassostrea gigas, cultivated in the southern region of the country, is also included in this study. Additional species are: Crassostrea virginica, from the Atlantic coast of the USA, the type species, and Crassostrea rhizophorae, a south-eastern Caribbean species that is supposed to occur in Brazil, but is here understood as a different entity endemic to that region. Taking into account their economic importance, the differentiation between these species is critical, and is essential for a better planning of production and preservation strategies. We point out the differences in almost all structures amongst these species, which are formally redescribed herein. The occurrence of the African species Crassostrea gasar in Brazil is established as false. The voucher specimens of previous studies responsible for this assumption were examined, evidencing a misidentification for Crassostrea brasiliana from an estuarine environment. The geographical distribution of the studied species is recognized as follows: Crassostrea rhizophorae in the south-east Caribbean Sea; Crassostrea mangle sp. nov. from Pará to the Santa Catarina, only in mangroves; Crassostrea brasiliana from Paraíba to Santa Catarina, both in rocky shores and mangroves; Crassostrea virginica ranges from the Atlantic coast of Canada to the Caribbean; and Crassostrea gigas originates from the Indo-Pacific, but has been introduced in southern Brazil. This paper also deals with conchological aspects of the endemic species Crassostrea praia, from south Lagoa dos Patos, Rio Grande do Sul; after a more detailed definition, and considering the deleterious effects of the nearby port and construction sites, it can be classified as an endangered species.

Epizootiology of Perkinsus sp. inCrassostrea gasar oysters in polyculture with shrimps in northeastern Brazil

“…Oysters show high levels of morphologic phenotypic plasticity, which makes differentiation among species extremely difficult (AMARAL & SIMONE, 2014). In this study, to identify the Crassostrea species (n = 25; Table 1), the mitochondrial gene encoding the small ribosomal subunit (16S) was amplified using the primers 16SAR/16SBR (KESSING et al, 1989).…”

Recent findings of wild European flat oysters Ostrea edulis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Belgian and Dutch offshore waters: new perspectives for offshore oyster reef restoration in the southern North Sea

“…The databases of these projects were screened for the presence of O. edulis. We verified the identification of the oyster specimens using internal and external morphological characters such as the presence of chomata differentiating the genus Ostrea from Crassostrea (stenzeL 1971;Harry 1985;amaraL & simone 2014 TABLE 1 Overview of recent subtidal hard substrate epifauna research in the Belgian and Dutch part of the North Sea.…”

A Pesca De Moluscos Em Ambientes Intermareais No Oeste Do Estado Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Brasil

“…No presente levantamento foi registrada uma única espécie de ostra: a Crassostrea mangle, embora nesta região também ocorre a espécie Crassostrea brasiliana que habita regiões de difícil acesso no estuário (Amaral & Simone, 2014). As ostras são removidas das raízes-escoras do mangue vermelho (Rhizophorae mangle) com auxílio de facas.…”