Journal article
Understanding the Variability in Food Quantity and Quality Profiles Across Eastern Oyster Reefs Located in Western Mississippi Sound: a Field Study
Journal of shellfish research, v 45(1), pp 91-105
01 Apr 2026
Abstract
The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is an economically and ecologically important species. Reefs in western Mississippi Sound historically have been subjected to multiple mass mortalities, with the most recent in 2019. Larval recruitment is essential for populations to rebound; however, larval success depends on environmental conditions, and suboptimal food supplies may limit recruitment events for Mississippi reefs. To better understand potential limitations on larval performance, this study evaluates oyster larval food quality and quantity estimates using analyses of total lipid, protein, and labile carbohydrate throughout the spawning season over three years. This study provides an insight into the variability among reefs, sampling times, and yearly timescales for these potential food resources for oyster larvae. Analyses reveal significant differences in food metrics across the months and years sampled, but no significant differences among reefs. Surprisingly, bulk particulate organic matter did not provide an alternative metric for oyster larval food supply. Understanding the year-to-year differences in planktonic food supply is imperative for understanding yearly and subyearly variations in recruitment and to better inform management on options for reef rehabilitation and sustainable management of the oyster fishery.
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Details
- Title
- Understanding the Variability in Food Quantity and Quality Profiles Across Eastern Oyster Reefs Located in Western Mississippi Sound: a Field Study
- Creators
- Emma B. Coltman - University of Southern MississippiEric N. Powell - University of Southern MississippiDanielle A. Kreeger - Drexel University, Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)Xiaodong Zhang - University of Southern MississippiKristina D. A. Mojica - University of Southern MississippiRoger L. Thomas - Drexel University, Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)James C. Klein - University of Southern MississippiLucas Barbedo - University of Southern Mississippi
- Publication Details
- Journal of shellfish research, v 45(1), pp 91-105
- Publisher
- National Shellfisheries Association
- Number of pages
- 15
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001766378800009
- Other Identifier
- 991022194494804721