Articles tagged with Shellfish
A new study suggests people have been eating only oysters in months with the letter 'r' - September to April - for at least 4,000 years. Researchers analyzed snail parasites on discarded shells to determine the seasonal pattern of oyster harvesting.
A new PSU study found 11 microplastic pieces per oyster and nine per clam along the Oregon coast. Microplastics were found in both Pacific oysters and razor clams collected from all 15 sample sites.
Researchers at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center have identified suitable locations off the US northeast coast for offshore blue mussel farms. The study suggests that Long Island, north of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, and off New Hampshire are promising sites due to favorable temperature and food availability conditions.
A study examines the relationship between humans and butter clams in the Salish Sea over 11,500 years. Traditional management practices led to thriving clam populations despite heavy harvesting pressure.
Researchers found that selectively bred oysters can alter their shell biomineralisation mechanisms to promote resilience against environmental acidification. This breakthrough could be a global mitigation strategy for sustainable shellfish aquaculture in the face of climate-driven change.
A study published in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science found that high-tide water in Willapa Bay's tidal flats takes multiple tidal cycles to fully replace, leading to differences in oyster growth. This slower turnover affects the quality of oyster beds, with regions having 'old' water showing lower levels of nutrients.
Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered that giant clam feces contain symbiotic algae zooxanthellae, which can be transferred to juvenile clams and establish a symbiotic relationship. This finding may help solve the mystery of how coral reefs acquire these essential algae.
A new study by the University of California, Davis, reveals that climate change could lead to a significant decline in oyster habitats in California bays. The research found that changes in dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature, and salinity would have a greater impact on oyster growth than ocean acidification.
Researchers use harmless fluorescent dye to track oyster larval movements in Mobile Bay, finding larvae are transported from lower bay to Mississippi Sound via freshwater flow paths. This approach can be applied to other marine species, aiding restoration and management of larval transport pathways globally.
Researchers found that rising sea levels destroyed evidence of shell middens at many prehistoric coastal sites, affecting our understanding of past coastal subsistence. Coastal erosion changed little during a period of significant sea-level rise and drop, with shells being deposited mostly on the direct shoreline.
Researchers uncover six distinct genera and over 60 species of wood-boring clams, revealing their unique diet and importance in the ocean's carbon cycle. The discovery sheds new light on these tiny creatures' role in shaping the deep-sea ecosystem.
Researchers suggest that snail and clam shells found at Caribbean archaeological sites may indicate child involvement in foraging and grocery shopping. Children's contributions to their own subsistence were more efficient and meaningful than previously thought, changing the way archaeologists think about site materials and distribution.
A study by University of British Columbia found that Canadians' fruit and vegetable intake decreased by 13% between 2004 and 2015. Despite this decline, the average daily intake of healthy components like whole grains, fish, and legumes remained stable.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that clam gardens along B.C.'s coast date back at least 3,500 years, nearly twice as old as previously thought. This ancient Indigenous food security system has provided sustainable seafood for thousands of years.
Researchers have developed guidelines for accurately dating ancient clam gardens, revealing that Indigenous peoples on the Northwest coast have been harvesting shellfish for at least 3,500 years. The study provides new methods for tracking mariculture trends through time, supporting long-term food security practices.
Researchers developed a mapping tool that predicts the best locations for oyster bed reestablishment, maximizing water filtration benefits. The tool utilizes GIS tools and considers factors such as ecosystem services and population sustainability.
A new study reveals the biomedical potential of bivalves as model organisms for medical research. Researchers identify promising avenues for treating diseases such as cancer and developing new pharmaceuticals, as well as improving bone growth and repair.
A URI researcher found that oyster aquaculture can limit the spread of disease among wild oysters. Aquaculture operations can reduce disease by filtering parasites from the water and holding oysters long enough to prevent their development. Intensive oyster aquaculture, when done correctly, can be beneficial for wild populations.
A new study suggests climate change could significantly reduce the nutritional quality of oysters due to ocean acidification and warming. The research focuses on Pacific and native flat oysters, finding that increased temperatures and CO2 levels can decrease protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content.
Research suggests that climate change-associated flooding can reduce seawater salt content, inducing stress in oyster animals. Even the most tolerant groups show vulnerability to future freshwater flooding events.
A new study finds that oyster mortality in the French Atlantic coast is linked to warm and wet winters, and the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Oysters are sensitive to climate change and water quality, making them sentinels of coastal ecosystem health.
A new model predicts that ocean acidification could reduce the US sea scallop population by more than 50% in 30 to 80 years, but proactive climate policy may mitigate this impact. The study combines four major factors, including future climate change scenarios, ocean acidification impacts, fisheries management policies, and fuel costs.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) donated $17,500 to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana to offset environmental costs from its 2018 Annual Meeting. The donation will help the organization further its commitment to coastal restoration and wetland preservation in the Gulf Coast region.
Small-scale fisheries, such as soft-shell clams in Maine, are threatened by climate change, invasive species and unsustainable land use. Co-management approaches, based on shared responsibility, can build resilience by strengthening science-based decision making and promoting adaptive capacities like learning and leadership.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a precise method to determine past typhoon occurrences from giant clam shells, which could help predict future cyclone activity. The team found that the shell's microstructure and chemical composition reveal data about typhoons occurring before written records were available.
A study published in PLOS ONE found microplastics at all 16 sites studied in Baynes Sound and Lambert Channel, with highest contamination in Henry Bay and Metcalfe Bay. The researchers identified three main types of microplastics: microfibers, microbeads, and microfragments, with microbeads being the most common type.
A new study in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary found that support for oyster restoration is linked to perceived risks to public health and the economy, rather than group membership. The research suggests that both conservationists and industry members may be receptive to similar appeals for oyster restoration projects.
A study by UC Santa Cruz researchers has found that 99% of mussels collected from San Francisco Bay were contaminated with at least one algal toxin, and 37% contained four distinct kinds of toxins. The contamination exceeded regulatory guidelines for multiple toxins in previous years.
A UCI study found that marine plants and seaweeds decrease acidity through photosynthesis, suggesting conservation efforts could preserve shellfish habitats. The research, spanning 1,000 miles of coastline, highlights the importance of marine life in driving local pH conditions.
A new European alliance for oyster conservation has been established to protect the endangered European flat oyster. The alliance seeks to re-establish this key species in the North Sea and adjacent seas through restoration of oyster reef structures.
The discovery was made possible by DNA sequencing techniques, revealing differences in the number of tentacles, bell size, and stinging cells between the two species. The newly recognized species may have implications for understanding jellyfish blooms and their impact on Eastern oyster larvae.
Researchers developed an eDNA assay to detect invasive freshwater clam Corbicula, finding it in four out of 11 lakes where it already existed. The test revealed the location and abundance of clams, confirming its potential for monitoring new populations and preventing ecosystem degradation.
A new review article argues that incorporating natural variability into experiments can provide more accurate insights into the effects of climate change on corals and other reef organisms. Studies found that varying factors such as temperature and pH can affect the physiology and response to future changes, warranting further research.
A VIMS study identifies a critical height threshold for oyster restoration: reefs built 0.3 meters or higher above the seafloor develop into healthy ecosystems with high oyster densities. Lower reefs are quickly buried by sediment, while those that reach this height benefit from increased water flow and reduced sedimentation.
A recent study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that taking a moment to notice nature can increase general happiness and well-being. Researchers asked participants to document how nature they encountered made them feel, with positive effects observed even in urban environments.
Penn researchers have developed a method to mimic the solar transformation process of giant clams to improve the production of biofuel. By controlling the size and optical properties of nanoparticles, they can efficiently convert sunlight into energy, mimicking the iridocytes found in giant clam shells.
A study by the University of Plymouth found that oysters exposed to expected future levels of ocean acidification and warming do not lose their sensory qualities. This has potentially positive implications for global food supply, as seafood represents a significant portion of animal protein intake.
Research finds that restored, protected reefs have significantly higher oyster densities and larval output compared to harvested reefs. Additionally, restored harvested reefs show increased larval recruitment, implying a valuable spillover effect from reserves to surrounding areas.
Researchers found that oysters rapidly closed their shells at sound frequencies between 10 and 1000 hertz in response to high-acoustic energies. This behavior suggests that oysters may 'hear' tidal cues, triggering appropriate behavior as the tide rises.
Researchers discovered that oyster shells contain unique microbial communities with higher denitrification activities than sediments. This finding has important implications for oyster restoration efforts, which may reduce nutrient levels in coastal waters by leveraging the shell microbiomes' active removal of fixed nitrogen.
A new study by Cardiff University and Stockholm University found that ocean clams and worms produce large amounts of methane and nitrous oxides, contributing to global warming. The findings suggest that farming shellfish could be an effective solution to mitigate environmental pressures.
Research suggests that traditional sailing methods have helped prevent overfishing and ensure the long-term survival of the Fal oyster fishery. Motorising the fleet would result in a nine-fold increase in fishing activity, putting the fishery at risk.
A new study found that rising seas in Italy could lead to an increase in parasitic trematodes and human infections within the next century. The research analyzed ancient clam fossils from the Po River plain, revealing a correlation between sea-level rise and trematode prevalence.
A new invasive Asian clam species has been discovered in the Illinois River near Marseilles, Illinois. The researchers used genetic tests to confirm its uniqueness, raising concerns about the impact on native clams and the ecosystem as a whole.
Sea snails, such as periwinkles, can speed up their shell-making process and produce less-dense shells in response to acidifying oceans. This adaptation may suggest that these organisms could be more resistant to future, harsher ocean conditions.
Scientists have unearthed a 480-million-year-old creature named Calvapilosa, an early offshoot of the line leading to modern coat-of-mail shells or chitons. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of mollusks, which includes squids, octopuses, snails, and clams.
A 480-million-year-old slug-like fossil in Morocco has been discovered, providing new insights into the evolution of molluscs. The fossil, Calvapilosa kroegeri, features a radula and short spines, suggesting that its ancestor was single-shelled and covered in bristle-like spines.
Research by University of Exeter scientists reveals that less than 4% of climate-change studies have tested the impact of ocean acidification on males and females separately. This could lead to major changes in sustainable supplies of fish and shellfish, as different sexes respond differently to stress.
Foraminifera, tiny unicellular organisms, produce better shells in acidic water due to a self-regulating biochemical mechanism. This discovery challenges the prevailing theory and could lead to increased CO2 levels in oceans, resulting in more rapid global warming.
A study by UC Davis and NERR found that atmospheric rivers contributed to a mass die-off of wild Olympia oysters in north San Francisco Bay in 2011. The event was caused by low salinity from freshwater discharge into the bay, highlighting the impact of extreme weather events on coastal ecosystems.
Researchers reconstructed ocean chemistry records from quahog clam shells to analyze past 1000 years of North Atlantic Ocean changes. They found that prior to industrial period, solar variability and volcanic eruptions drove climate and weather patterns.
Researchers built a marine archive by analyzing annual growth increments in clam shells from the North Icelandic Shelf. The study found that ocean variability played an active role in driving major pre-industrial climate fluctuations.
A new study found that toxic marine snow formed by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia can reach significant depths quickly and persist for months. This marine snow can accumulate high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin that can cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms in humans.
The Colorado River delta's annual carbon cycle has changed dramatically due to poor water management, with fossil clam shells revealing vast amounts of carbon being added to the atmosphere. The reduced carbon emissions at the delta are vastly outweighed by the carbon emissions from transporting water to cities and farms.
A study by University of California - Santa Cruz researchers detected high levels of microcystin toxin in mussels from San Francisco Bay, which can accumulate in shellfish and pose a risk to human consumption. The findings highlight the need for added monitoring of freshwater toxins in coastal waters.
A study found that certain components of climate change may benefit native oysters in California by allowing them to grow faster at warmer temperatures. However, a predatory snail species introduced from the East Coast and Asia poses a significant threat to oyster populations.
Researchers at Oregon State University found native Olympia oysters are more resilient to ocean acidification due to their slower shell-building phase. This trait allows them to survive high levels of acidity, contrary to the rapid development seen in Pacific oysters.
Researchers found that Native Americans' method of selecting and hand-collecting oysters likely resulted in more consistent average sizes and fewer very small individual oysters. This approach may inform modern-day oyster restoration efforts, which face challenges such as disease, poor water quality, and overfishing.
Researchers identified Pf-POU3F4, which promotes Aspein and Prismalin-14 expression in oyster shells. The study provides new perspectives on biomineralization and its similarities to bone and tooth formation in mammals.
In 2015, Virginia shellfish farmers sold $48.3 million in clams and oysters, with hard clam sales leading the nation. The state's industry is expected to increase by 14% for planted oysters in 2016.