Gonads may also be cut and scraped and the material examined under the microscope for sperm and eggs. Ripening gonads have many branching tubules or prominent genital canals. Experienced hatchery personnel can judge the state of “ripeness” by removing the right or upper shell and noting the development of the gonads. In either case, oysters larger than 3 inches (76 mm) are selected, although males may be smaller, and then a sample is examined for reproductive readiness. The process begins with selecting broodstock, which may be oysters taken from the wild or oysters bred and maintained under controlled conditions for selective breeding. Spawning is typically undertaken in the spring when water temperatures rise above 77 ✯ (25 ✬) in southern waters. Approximately 10 million spat can be expected from the 25 million eyed larvae. Natural mortality and the need to thin out the larvae to proper densities should leave about 25 million eyed larvae ready for setting. Under good conditions 200 million eggs can result in 100 million or more early-stage larvae, which require 2,600 gallons (10,000 L) of treated water. As a rule, ten average females produce about 200 million eggs. Spawning oysters is the first step in the production of spat. Because of the rich array of organisms in Gulf of Mexico waters, mechanical filtration down to 1 ?m with UV treatment can assist in successful spawning and larval production. Mechanical filtration is usually done with a pressurized sand filter, cartridge filters for smaller volumes, or fine-mesh bags. Large-scale operations and “low-tech” or “back yard” facilities may forgo UV treatment but will use some mechanical filtration. Water used for spawning, mixing eggs and sperm, and growing larvae is typically filtered mechanically and treated with ultraviolet radiation. Good water quality is essential to successful hatchery production (see Site Selection) but even high-quality water must be treated to remove unwanted organisms. Another larger space with special lighting, separate from the main hatchery, is needed to grow larger volumes of algae. If algal cultures are to be produced, there must be a clean room with special lighting for starting cultures. Aeration throughout the hatchery is supplied by an appropriate size blower, overhead PVC piping, vinyl tubing, and good quality air stones. Shallow rectangular tanks with drain pipes provide nursery space for juvenile oysters. 4) that can handle the maximum expected water flow helps keep water off the floor.
Drain pipes make it convenient to drain water and sieve larvae. Tanks for larval production are circular, generally 250 gallons (946 L) or larger, and have center drains and sloping or conical bottoms. Treated sea- water is then suitable for larval and algal production.
The plumbing is designed with a water filtration and treatment system consisting of some combination of rapid sand filters, cartridge filters, activated carbon, ultraviolet (UV) sterilization or pasteurization (Fig.
#SPAT OYSTER HOW TO#
Several undergraduate students are also assisting and learning about how to conduct marine biology research focused on restoring water quality in the region.Small cartridge and ultraviolet sterilizer filter system for treating seawater. She is developing DNA-based markers to distinguish oyster larvae from other bivalve larvae. The model is coupled with an oyster larval transport model that can predict the movement and distribution of larvae.įGCU Assistant Professor Melissa May uses molecular techniques, including DNA and RNA, to study mollusk and bivalve physiology. Sampling is conducted during the oyster spawning season, which is from May to November, and field expeditions will occur at two-week intervals.įGCU Associate Marine Science Professor Felix Jose has developed a 3-D hydrodynamic model that predicts tidal currents and the influences of the Caloosahatchee River flows. The SCCF has established sites for collecting data on oyster spat - juvenile - settlement along the salinity gradient. The source of larvae and their eventual fate in the bay can help prioritize areas for future restoration projects. To reproduce, oysters spawn tiny larvae that move through the water and settle on a surface. The goal is to study larval transport, distribution and settlement, which are key components of oyster reef restoration. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that it has been teaming up with two Florida Gulf Coast University professors to continue research on oysters in the region. FGCU Assistant Professor Melissa May collects bivalve larvae.
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