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Settlement Site Selection By Oyster Larvae, Crassostrea Virginica: Evidence For Geotaxis, Patrick Baker

VIMS Articles

Settlement of larval oysters, Crassostrea virginica, with respect to upper and lower surfaces of natural substrates, was studied in the field and in the laboratory. Enclosures were used to retain pediveligers of Crassostrea under controlled field conditions: until they settled. About 62% of these larvae settled onto rough (outer) surfaces of natural oyster shell substrate; this closely marched the proportion of substrate oriented with the rough surface downward. In the laboratory, about 83% of larvae settled onto the lower surfaces of similar shell substrates, in the absence of light, regardless of how the shell substrate was positioned. Both field and …