Journal article
Monsoonally Driven Reproduction in the Tropical Black-Lip Rock Oyster Saccostrea echinata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1835) in Northern Australia
Journal of Shellfish Research, Vol.38(1), pp.89-100
2019
Abstract
The reproductive cycle of the tropical black-lip rock oyster Saccostrea echinata was determined at three locations in the Northern Territory, Australia. Wild oysters were collected every 4-6 wk (n ¼ 13-23) from January 2016 until June 2017. Biometric and condition index data were collected, and tissues were histologically examined to determine gonad index (GI) and gender ratios. Seawater and air temperature were monitored by intertidally deployed data loggers, and daily rainfall data were obtained from local weather stations. A total of 527 oysters were sampled across all sites, of which 34.2% were females, 47.4% were males, 0.4% were hermaphrodites, and 18.0% were of indeterminate gender. The GI presented a clear annual cycle; values fluctuated but remained high (1.94-3.94) from October through April and were low (>1.50) from May through September, across both years. Across all sites, the GI had a strong, positive correlation with temperature (r ¼ 0.783; df ¼ 26; P <0.001) and a moderate, positive correlation with rainfall (r ¼ 0.496; df ¼ 31; P <0.05). Synchronization in spawning patterns occurred between sites, and gender ratios suggest that S. echinata is a dioecious species with low levels of functional hermaphroditism. The major finding of this study is that S. echinata spawns semicontinuously throughout the monsoon season (October-April) and has an extended resting phase throughout the dry season (May-September). The information generated in this study has a number of potential applications relating to the timing of broodstock collection and hatchery production, and it provides a broader basis for further developing S. echinata as a commercial aquaculture species.
Details
- Title
- Monsoonally Driven Reproduction in the Tropical Black-Lip Rock Oyster Saccostrea echinata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1835) in Northern Australia
- Authors
- Samantha J Nowland (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & EngineeringWayne A O'Connor (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesShane S Penny (Author) - Northern Territory GovernmentPaul C Southgate (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & Engineering
- Publication details
- Journal of Shellfish Research, Vol.38(1), pp.89-100
- Publisher
- National Shellfisheries Association, Inc.
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.2983/035.038.0109
- ISSN
- 0730-8000
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2019 National Shellfisheries Association. Reproduced with permission of the publisher.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450749302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Fisheries
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
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