Abstract
Understanding larval duration and hence dispersal potential of the European oyster Ostrea edulis is crucial to inform restoration strategies. Laval duration has an obligatory period of maturity to pediveliger (when larvae are ready to settle), but also an unknown period until metamorphosis is triggered by a settlement cue. The extent to which larvae can prolong the pediveliger period and delay metamorphosis has not been studied. Here we show that O. edulis larvae can delay metamorphosis for a period of 11 days, while retaining the capability to settle in high proportions when presented with a suitable settlement cue. O. edulis larvae are likely to be able to delay metamorphosis even further, since 80% of larvae in the control treatment were still alive when the experiment was terminated at day 14. The results indicate the ability of O. edulis larvae to more than double pelagic duration and probably further delay metamorphosis. We discuss these findings in the context of larval mortality, and the importance of O. edulis’ larval settlement requirements for dispersal potential, recruitment success and connectivity of restoration sites.
Highlights
Ecosystem restoration is increasingly being recognised as a pressing need for counteracting the environmental emergency we are facing
Control treatment to account for any effect that water quality parameters could have on the settlement of O. edulis larvae
The aim of this study was to examine the ability of Ostrea edulis larvae to delay metamorphosis and to increase their larval duration and dispersal potential
Summary
Ecosystem restoration is increasingly being recognised as a pressing need for counteracting the environmental emergency we are facing. The UN has officially proclaimed the decade of 2021–2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration following a proposal for action of over 70 countries. Restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services is a priority in Europe under the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, where the development of legally binding EU nature restoration targets is a key commitment [1]. Restoring oyster habitats has emerged as a priority in many countries around the world, in Europe, the USA and Australia. In Europe, efforts are mounting to restore the European oyster Ostrea edulis and thereby contribute to national and international commitments.
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