The world is their oyster : differences in epibiota on sympatric populations of native Ostrea edulis and non-native Crassostrea gigas (Magallana gigas) oysters

This research was funded by the Department of Learning (DEL) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARDNI). In this study we aimed to assess the relative effects of native Ostrea edulis and non-native Crassostrea gigas and their associated epibiotic biodiversi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Sea Research
Main Authors: Guy, C., Blight, A., Smyth, D., Roberts, D.
Other Authors: University of St Andrews. School of Biology, University of St Andrews. Sediment Ecology Research Group, University of St Andrews. Scottish Oceans Institute
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2019
Subjects:
Invasive species
Epibiota
Biodiversity
QH301 Biology
NDAS
QH301
Crassostrea gigas
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10023/18046
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2018.07.002
Description
Summary:This research was funded by the Department of Learning (DEL) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARDNI). In this study we aimed to assess the relative effects of native Ostrea edulis and non-native Crassostrea gigas and their associated epibiotic biodiversity. We recorded epibiont location on the shell as well as the upper or lower valve. Epibiont species richness was significantly lower on C. gigas. The epibiota communities differed significantly between the two oyster species. The continued spread of C. gigas may potentially impact the epibiont biodiversity associated with oyster species in Strangford Lough. Management strategies should prevent sustained population expansion and associated changes in colonisation habitat. Postprint Peer reviewed

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