Possible genetic influences on the growth rate and survival of two populations of Crassostrea virginica

Date

1992 1992 May 21

Authors

Martinez MC
DiMichele L

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Laguna Madre (LM), Texas, has unique populations of oysters, Crassostrea virginica , that are genetically distinct from all other Atlantic populations. The LM is also a unique environment, characterized by extreme hypersalinities and high summer temperatures. The authors examined growth of LM oysters relative to Galveston Bay (GB) oysters to determine if this genetic differentiation is correlated with oyster physiology. Oysters were acclimated to a common environment and mass spawned to produce two pure populations and the reciprocal crosses. The paternal GB crosses grown in 40 ppt died at the larval stage. Spat from surviving groups were grown in LM and GB. At both locations, LL sub(40ppt), and LL sub(20ppt), spat grew significantly faster than GG sub(20ppt) spat. Growth of all reciprocal crosses were intermediate and showed significant parental effects. LL sub(20ppt) growth was similar in both locations. GG sub(20ppt) spat in LM grew faster than siblings in GB, but significantly slower than any LL cross. LM populations may have genetically adapted to their environment, or drift isolation may be responsible for the observed differentiation. Results are consistent with the isolation hypothesis but indicate that some physiological differentiation may have occurred as well

Description

-

Keywords

ASW,USA,Texas, ASW,USA,Texas,Galveston Bay, ASW,USA,Texas,Laguna Madre, Crassostrea, Crassostrea virginica, fish, Galveston Bay, growth, growth rate, Oyster culture, Oysters, population genetics, Populations, Q1 01265 Genetics and evolution, Q1 01443 Population genetics, Q1 01583 Shellfish culture, Q3 01583 Shellfish culture, selective breeding, subpopulations, Survival, Temperature, Texas, USA

Citation