The ecological energies of growth,respiration and assimilation in the intertidal American oyster Crassostrea virginica

Seasonal variations in the growth, respiration and assimilation of the intertidal oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) of different sizes were determined. The instantaneous growth rates for intertidal oysters decreased with increasing size and with lower temperatures. Q₁₀ values computed from instantaneous growth rates were approximately 2 during the warm growing season, but were higher in the colder months. Oxygen consumption increased with temperature and body size. A model was developed to predict oxygen consumption at any environmental temperature from 10° to 30°C for oysters ranging in weight from 0.1 to 100.0 g. Q₁₀ values computed from oxygen-consumption rates decreased with increasing temperature and increasing body size. Intertidal oysters utilize a large proportion of their assimilated energy in growth.Supported by a Belle W. Baruch Fellowship in Marine Ecology.