Vertical swimming behavior influences the dispersal of simulated oyster larvae in a coupled particle-tracking and hydrodynamic model of Chesapeake Bay

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 359:99-115 (2008) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07317 Vertical swimming behavior influences the dispersal of simulated oyster larvae in a coupled particle-tracking and hydrodynamic model of Chesapeake Bay E. W. North1,*, Z. Schlag1, R. R. Hood1, M. Li1, L. Zhong1, T. Gross2, V. S. Kennedy1 1University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, 2020 Horns Point Road, Cambridge, Maryland 21613, USA 2NOAA/NOS and Chesapeake Research Consortium, 645 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, Maryland 21037, USA *Email: enorth@hpl.umces.edu ABSTRACT: Because planktonic organisms have swimming speeds that are orders of magnitude lower than horizontal current velocities, it is unclear whether behavior of weak-swimming bivalve larvae could influence dispersal distance, encounters with suitable habitat, or subpopulation connectivity. We used a numerical approach to investigate whether these processes could be affected by species-specific differences in larval vertical swimming behavior of 2 oyster species (Crassostrea virginica and C. ariakensis) in Chesapeake Bay, a partially mixed estuary. A coupled particle-tracking and hydrodynamic model was forced with observed winds and freshwater flow and included the best available estimate of present-day oyster habitat. Model scenarios were conducted with hydrodynamic predictions from June to September, 1995 to 1999, to simulate a range of environmental conditions. Simple larval swimming behaviors were parameterized for the 2 oyster species with results from preliminary laboratory experiments and literature. To isolate the effect of circulation, settlement habitat, and larval behavior on the spatial trajectories of particles, vertical swimming velocity was the only biological process represented in the model; egg production and larval growth were not included. Differences in larval swimming behavior had significant consequences for particle transport in Chesapeake Bay by influencing dispersal distances, transport success, and the degree of connectivity between ‘subpopulations’ in different tributaries. Most particles (>96%) did not return to the same reef on which they were released, and there were behavior-dependent differences in spatial patterns of the ‘source’ and ‘sink’ characteristics of oyster reefs. Simulated larval behavior had greater influence on spatial patterns of transport success than did interannual differences in circulation patterns. These model results have implications for fisheries management and oyster restoration activities. KEY WORDS: Connectivity · Coupled bio-physical model · Crassostrea virginica · Crassostrea ariakensis · Larval transport · Larval swimming behavior · Larval dispersal · Particle-tracking model Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: North EW, Schlag Z, Hood RR, Li M, Zhong L, Gross T, Kennedy VS (2008) Vertical swimming behavior influences the dispersal of simulated oyster larvae in a coupled particle-tracking and hydrodynamic model of Chesapeake Bay. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 359:99-115. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07317Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 359. Online publication date: May 05, 2008 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2008 Inter-Research.