Digital Commons Network^™

Fresh-Water Kill Of Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) In James River, Virginia, 1958, Jay D. Andrews, Dexter Haven, D. B. Quayle

VIMS Articles

Fresh water invaded the upper half of James River seed area in winter and spring of 1958. Many oysters died between 1 May and 15 ·June. On some grounds, salinities did not become suitable until l July when temperature had reached 23°c. Death rates of native oysters were as high as 90 percent.

Oysters exposed to fresh water from midwinter were "conditioned" to a low physiological state as evidenced by absence of heart beat, ciliary motion and mantle sensitivity when first opened. Oysters held in trays at one extremity of the seed area withstood fresh-water conditions similarly to oysters on …

Effects Of Pea Crabs, Pinnotheres Ostreum, On Oysters Crassostrea Virginica, Dexter Haven

VIMS Articles

Oysters with and without pea crabs were compared for growth and fatness. Measurements included volume, wet and dry meat weight, and shell cavity volume. Oysters with crabs contained less eat per unit of shell cavity volume than those without crabs but per cent water content was similar. Incidence of pea crabs in the lower James, York and Rappahannock rivers from 1953-1958 varied from 6 to 22 per cent.