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Biol Bull 114: 57-70. (February 1958)
© 1958 Marine Biological Laboratory
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SOME ASPECTS OF BEHAVIOR OF OYSTERS AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

V. L. LOOSANOFF 1

1 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Milford, Conn.

1. Some adult Long Island Sound oysters are able to pump water at a temperature as low as about 1.0° C. Oysters with crystalline style and food in their stomachs may occasionally be found in northern waters in winter.

2. Approximately 15 per cent of the oysters exposed to temperatures ranging from 2.0° to 3.0° C., and approximately 50 per cent of the oysters kept between 3.0° and 4.0° C. formed pseudo feces.

3. The average and maximum rates of pumping of the groups of oysters exposed to temperatures from 0.0° to 38.0° C. were determined. The rate remained low under 8.0° C. Within the range from 8.1° to 16.0° C. the rate steadily increased. Between that point and about 28.0° C. the rate showed no marked fluctuation. A further increase was noted between 28.1° and 32.0° C. It is within this range that the maximum average rate of pumping of 12,983 cc. per hour was recorded. Between 32.1° and 34.0° C. the rate was also rapid. Beyond 34.1° C. the oysters showed a marked decrease in the rate of pumping and their shell movements were abnormal.

4. The maximum rate of pumping for an individual oyster averaging 37,446 cc. per hour was recorded at the temperature of about 24.0° C. For short periods of five to 15 minutes the rate of pumping of the same oyster exceeded 40,000 cc. per hour.

5. Statistical tests showed homogeneity of the rates of pumping within the following five temperature intervals: 4.1°-10.0° C., 10.1°-16.0° C., 16.1°-28.0° C., 28.1°-34.0° C. and 34.1°-38.0° C. The means for these five intervals were 593; 3,714; 8,727; 11,365 and 2,762 cc. per hour, respectively. Highly significant differences among these five levels were indicated by statistical analysis.

6. The rate of pumping of oysters kept at a temperature below 5.0° C. and then quickly changed to the higher temperature of 18.0° to 20.0° C. was virtually the same as the control oysters, thus indicating that the response of the oysters to such changes in environment and their adjustment to these changes are rapid.




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