Comparison of Two External Tagging Methods Used for the Identification of Individual Adult Pacific Oysters,Crassostrea gigas

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tagging methods used in bivalve research can be broadly categorized into two groups: internal and external. External tagging methods are more commonly used; however, the legibility of external tags tends to decline over time, and tag recovery rates are often low due to the abrasion or biofouling of shells, particularly during long-term studies. The aim of the current study was to compare two external identification methods placed on or in the shells of adult Crassostrea gigas: (1) a plasticlaminated glue-on tag and (2) novel use of a t-bar anchor tag inserted into the upper shell, to determine the optimal methodology to use in longitudinal studies of greater than 1-y duration. Over a 15-mo period, 100% of glue-on numbered tags were lost or became overgrown and could not be read, whereas 91.5% of t-bar anchor tags were retained and remained legible. The results of this study suggest that t-bar anchor tags are a better choice for long-term longitudinal studies of adult C. gigas in temperate marine ...