Juvenile oyster shell strength measurements from predator cue bioassay experiments with treatments including blue crab urine, homarine, and trigonelline conducted at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL between June and August of 2020

Abstract

Dataset: Oyster shell strengthening in response to blue crab predator cuesThese data include measurements of juvenile oyster shell strength from predator cue bioassay experiments conducted at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL between June and August of 2020. Study description: Homarine and trigonelline are two blue crab urine metabolites that cause mud crabs to seek refuge, but it is unknown whether these molecules influence other species. In the current study, homarine, trigonelline, and blue crab urine of animals fed conspecific and heterospecific diets were tested on juvenile oysters to ascertain if the same molecules known to alter mud crab behavior also affect oyster morphology. Juvenile oysters were exposed to chemicals for roughly 6 weeks and their shell strength (N) was measured and standardized to the size of the animals (mm) as a proxy for understanding this defense. For a complete list of measurements, refer to the full dataset description in the supplemental file 'Dataset_description.pdf'. The most current version of this dataset is available at: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/883945NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) OCE-1948423, NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) OCE-194844