Genetics and monitoring of the eastern oyster Crassostrea Virginica within Delaware inland bays

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Oyster enhancement to recover ecological benefits has been occurring since the late 1990s within the Delaware Inland Bays (DIBs) using a disease resistant line. Locally recruited oysters have been observed along hardened shorelines but limited quantitative information exists on the status of past or present DIBs sub-population. The goals of this study were to 1) assess the current genetic diversity of local DIBs oysters, 2) identify possible larval sources via genetic profiles, and 3) establish baseline measurements of oyster density along the selected rip-rap locations. Genetic diversity was assessed using eleven microsatellites markers to determine allele frequencies between two groups of spat collected from within the DIBs. Genetic profiles from the DIB groups were compared with a hatchery bred oysters used in local restoration and local wild Delaware Bay oysters, to determine possible source populations. Genetic results show similar allele frequencies among the two DIB groups which are more similar to local wild oysters than hatchery strains. Surveys among intertidal rip-rap habitats documented the current density and size frequency of oysters to evaluate future demographic changes. Oyster densities were generally low at the sites monitored in my study but the highest densities were observed within mid Indian River Bay. Monitoring oyster genetics and density needs to continue and expand throughout the DIBs to better understand local population dynamics and enhancement effects, as restoration continues and commercial scale shellfish aquaculture develops in the region.

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