Recent studies in the United States on parasites and pathogens of marine mollusks, with emphasis on diseases of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica Gmelin

Morphological, systematic, faunal, and life cycle studies predominated research on marine parasites and pathogens in the United States before World War II. Much was primarily basic or academic in nature. Since then it has grown and diversified under pressure or efforts to: I) Increase yields or invertebrate-based fisheries, In nature and under controlled conditions; and 2) understand , protect, and improve the resources, estuarine and marine environments, and human health and welfare. Over the last 30 yr pathobiologlcal investigations of economically and ecologically important marine Invertebrates have broadened into submlcroscopcal anatomy (TEM and SEM technlques), physiology, Immunology, genetics, host-parasite ecology, Interactions between environmental pollution and disease, and prophylaxis and treatment of their diseases. Importation of foreign oysters (and other shellfish species) and their transfer and transplantation between the coastal regions, provinces, and states of North America have resulted in growing disease problems and a corresponding interest In the parasitology and pathology of the mollusks involved. It has also spawned efforts to control introductions and transfers. Two major diseases have been found to interfere with production or native Atlantic oysters along the Gulf and/or Atlantic coasts of the United States. These are the Dermo or fungus disease, caused by the apicomplexan protlstan Perkinsus marinus (both coasts) and MSX or Delaware Bay disease, caused by the sporozoan Haplosporidium nelsoni (the Atlantic coast-prlncipally in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays). Knowledge of lhese important epizootic-produclng diseases Is reviewed and discussed, along with that or other parasites and pathogen. of molluskan shellfish lo North America, and an extensive References section of the results or recent research on molluskan parasites and diseases is presented.https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/1041/thumbnail.jp

The Evolution of the Chesapeake Oyster Reef System During the Holocene Epoch

The oyster industries of Virginia and Maryland were based upon adult and juvenile oysters, and their shells, produced naturally on the reefs of the Chesapeake oyster reef system. Without those reefs the billions of bushels of live oysters and shells taken by humans could neither have been produced naturally nor harvested and the valuable social and economic activities derived therefrom would never have occurred. The origin and development of the formerly massive, naturally self-renewing Chesapeake reef system were directly associated with the evolution of the Bay. Its destruction can be linked primarily to the increase of humans around the Bay and beyond and their demand for oysters and shells. Both phases, development and destruction, of reef history have occurred during the last three-quarters to twothirds of the post-glacial Holocene period, around 7,000 years or less. more...https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/1086/thumbnail.jp

Exploration and research in Chesapeake Bay : being a brief history of the development of knowledge of the Bay of Santa Maria

This paper was the basis for the luncheon address by Dr. Hargis, one of the Founders and then Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Chesapeake Research Consortium, Inc., on the occasion of the Bi-State Conference on Chesapeake Bay, held at Patuxent Naval Air Station, Lexington Park, Maryland, April 1977

The Mid-Atlantic Bight, a neglected marine gold mine : report of the Subcommittee on the Atlantic Bight

The mid~Atlantic Bight is that area of the western no:rth bounded by Cape :i-a:ltteras on the south, Cape Cod on the north and the coast lines and fall lines of the various tributaries in the west, Figure 1. The eastern boundary is more ditficult to define but might be considered as the Gulf Stream or even beyond. Neither of these boundaries is clearly defined except the shoreline; but even this clear demarcation is somewhat illusory because there are zones of transition on the beach . The land merges with the sea more gradually in the salt marshes than on the sandy beaches. F all lines may be broached by determined anadromous and catafromous fishes. The salt lagoons, great bays and smaller estuaries are also part of the Bight. This is a large, complex geographical entity

Investigation of oyster larvae and spat and certain important environmental factors in an horizontally stratified estuary : final report on project 3-7-R

Reasonable progress has been made toward attaining the objectives of this project (No. 3-7-R). Considerable additional and new knowledge of the physical structure and dynamics of a theoretically horizontally-stratified estuary and the movement of the larvae and setting (spatfall) of juvenile Crassostrea virginica has been developed. Sedimentary processes, flushing times and the spatial and temporal distribution of the biological entities have also been investigated. Of especial interest have been the design, construction and verification of an hydraulic model of the system and the use of this scientific device to simulate movement of larvae by dye and to make 11time of passage studiesH, as described below. Later utilization will involve similar studies

Final report on results of Operation James River; an evaluation of the physical and biological effects of the proposed James River Navigation Project

A comprehensive study of the physical and biological characteristics of the James Estuary has been carried out by oceanographers of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science under contract with the Virginia Commission of Fisheries. This research project, under way for three years, has been directed especially to the effects of the proposed James River Navigation Project channel dredging on physical features--i·~.,the structure and dynamics, of the estuary, and indirectly on oyster production. Five separate phases were carried out under the project (called Operation James River). These involved: 1) accumulation and study of relevant literature and data, 2) research into the physical characteristics of the James, itself, 3) studies of oysters and related organisms in the field, 4) research on relevant marine organisms under laboratory conditions, and 5) studies of before and after effects of channel dredging on the salinity and currents in the especially-constructed hydraulic model. OJR has produced much new knowledge of the biological, chemical, geological and physical characteristics of the tidal James which is of great value scientifically and also will be of value in the future development of the James River Basin. Of greater immediacy, the physical studies indicate clearly that the proposed channel deepening will cause changes in the salinity and current regimes of the estuary. Biological research, however, shows that these physical changes will have no significant effect on the production of seed or market oysters in the James Estuary. If conducted properly, the dredging will not affect other marine populations significantly. Future proposals for alterations in the physical, chemical and geological characteristics of tidal James should be evaluated just as carefully

History and Current Status: James River Navigation Project

The purposes of this report are: 1) to briefly recount the history of the James River Channel, or more properly--the James River Navigation Project; and, 2) to discuss the present situation pertaining to proposed changes in the river bed or channel in the critical estuarine area located between Hampton Roads and Jamestown Island

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

The present Virginia Institute of Marine Science evolved from the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory, founded in 1940 as part of the College of William and Mary and the research agency for the Virginia Commission of Fisheries. The Institute\u27s original purpose was to under-take research useful in the management of the seafood and sport fishing industries.At the same time it offered an undergraduate and graduate program in marine science through the Department of Biology of the College of William and Mary, and gave general information to the public. more ..