Evaluating larval size and survival after probiotic addition in Pacific oyster larvae
Oysters are a large part of the American aquaculture market, and the oyster farming industry was valued at over 1 billion dollars in 2021. However, oyster farmers often face issues surrounding the mortality rates of their stock. One cause of this is infections caused by Vibrio coralliilyticus (Vcor)...
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| Other Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English unknown |
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Oregon State University
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| Online Access: | https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/honors_college_theses/9g54xs06d |
| Summary: | Oysters are a large part of the American aquaculture market, and the oyster farming industry was valued at over 1 billion dollars in 2021. However, oyster farmers often face issues surrounding the mortality rates of their stock. One cause of this is infections caused by Vibrio coralliilyticus (Vcor), a bacterium that has been shown to be very virulent to many marine organisms. The overarching aim of this project focuses on the effects of probiotics on the growth and survival of oyster larvae, specifically those of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. This thesis research seeks to test the effects of a probiotic treatment on the 1) relative percent survival and 2) average shell length on the 15th day after fertilization. To do this, larvae preserved in vials were counted, imaged, and measured and analysis was performed. It was found that probiotics significantly increased the relative percent survival and shell length relative to larvae treated with neither probiotics nor Vibrio. Probiotics also increased shell length and survival over larvae treated with “neutral” bacteria, which did not provide any beneficial effects but were not pathogenic. The probiotics may have specific mechanisms of action that support survival and growth and can support the health of farmed oysters. Keywords: oyster, aquaculture, probiotics, mortality, growth |
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