Pacific oyster: Difference between revisions
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| name = Pacific oyster |
| name = Pacific oyster |
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| image = Huitre p1040847.jpg |
| image = Huitre p1040847.jpg |
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| image_width = 240px |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Mollusk|Mollusca]] |
| phylum = [[Mollusk|Mollusca]] |
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The '''Pacific oyster''', '' |
The '''Pacific oyster''', ''Crassostrea gigas'', is a oyster native to the [[Pacific]] coast of [[Asia]]. It has become an introduced species in [[North America]], [[Australia]], [[Europe]], and [[New Zealand]]. |
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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== Life Cycle == |
== Life Cycle == |
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Pacific oysters need a temperature of about 20° [[Celsius]] or higher in order to reproduce. Larvae are planktonic and spend several weeks in the free swimming phase, once an acceptable location has been found the oyster attaches itself to its chosen surface and spends the first year of its life as male before eventually becoming female. |
Pacific oysters need a temperature of about 20° [[Celsius]] or higher in order to reproduce. Larvae are planktonic and spend several weeks in the free swimming phase, once an acceptable location has been found the oyster attaches itself to its chosen surface and spends the first year of its life as male before eventually becoming female. Unharvested oysters may live up to 30 years. |
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== Introductions == |
== Introductions == |
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''C. gigas'' has been introduced from its native home to all over the world, ranging from North America to Australia and Europe it has become an important commercial harvest in many of these places and is the number one shellfish resource in Washington State. However, the Pacific oyster is considered by some to be an invasive species where it is outcompeting native species, such as the [[Olympia oyster]], in Puget Sound, Washington, and, the Wadden Sea, where it is out competing native shellfish such as the blue mussel ''[[Mytilus edulis]]'' |
''C. gigas'' has been introduced from its native home to all over the world, ranging from North America to Australia and Europe it has become an important commercial harvest in many of these places and is the number one shellfish resource in Washington State. However, the Pacific oyster is considered by some to be an invasive species where it is outcompeting native species, such as the [[Olympia oyster]], in [[Puget Sound]], Washington, and, the [[Wadden Sea]], where it is out competing native shellfish such as the blue mussel, ''[[Mytilus edulis]]''. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/3514 Crassostrea gigas], Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
* [http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/3514 Crassostrea gigas], Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
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*[http://www.psmfc.org/habitat/edu_oyster_fact.html Pacific oyster facts], Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission |
* [http://www.psmfc.org/habitat/edu_oyster_fact.html Pacific oyster facts], Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission |
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*[http://www.lib.noaa.gov/korea/main_species/pacific.htm Pacific oyster], United States [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |
* [http://www.lib.noaa.gov/korea/main_species/pacific.htm Pacific oyster], United States [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |
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*http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0QPU/is_2_24/ai_n15384489 |
* http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0QPU/is_2_24/ai_n15384489 |
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*http://www.stefannehring.de/downloads/142_Nehring-2003_Aliens-17_pacific-oyster.pdf |
* http://www.stefannehring.de/downloads/142_Nehring-2003_Aliens-17_pacific-oyster.pdf |
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[[Category:Ostreidae]] |
[[Category:Ostreidae]] |
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Revision as of 23:55, 20 January 2009
| Pacific oyster | |
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| File:Huitre p1040847.jpg | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | C. gigas
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| Binomial name | |
| Crassostrea gigas Thunberg, 1793
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The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is a oyster native to the Pacific coast of Asia. It has become an introduced species in North America, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand.
Description
The shell of C. gigas is extremely variable in shape, which is based on the place where it has grown. The two valves (shells) are slightly different in size and shape, with the right valve being moderatly cup shaped. The color of the shell is variable but usually pale and white or off-white, with large, rounded, radial folds, and is often extremely rough and sharp. Mature specimens can be from 80 mm all the way up to 400 mm
Ecology
C. gigas can be found in intertidal and subtidal zones. They prefer to attach to a hard or rocky surfaces in shallow or sheltered waters but have been known to attach to muddy or sandy areas when the preferred habitat is scarce. They can also be found on the shells of other shellfish. Larvae often settle on the shells of adults, and great masses of oysters can grow together to form oyster reefs.
Life Cycle
Pacific oysters need a temperature of about 20° Celsius or higher in order to reproduce. Larvae are planktonic and spend several weeks in the free swimming phase, once an acceptable location has been found the oyster attaches itself to its chosen surface and spends the first year of its life as male before eventually becoming female. Unharvested oysters may live up to 30 years.
Introductions
C. gigas has been introduced from its native home to all over the world, ranging from North America to Australia and Europe it has become an important commercial harvest in many of these places and is the number one shellfish resource in Washington State. However, the Pacific oyster is considered by some to be an invasive species where it is outcompeting native species, such as the Olympia oyster, in Puget Sound, Washington, and, the Wadden Sea, where it is out competing native shellfish such as the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis.
External links
- Crassostrea gigas, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Pacific oyster facts, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
- Pacific oyster, United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0QPU/is_2_24/ai_n15384489
- http://www.stefannehring.de/downloads/142_Nehring-2003_Aliens-17_pacific-oyster.pdf