Distributions of settlers suggest greater dispersal and mixing of Ostrea chilensis larvae in Foveaux Strait,New Zealand

The Foveaux Strait oyster (Ostrea chilensis) fishery in southern New Zealand comprises many localised populations (oyster beds) that have survived disease mortality and 150 years of fishing. The reproductive biology of O. chilensis underlies the assumption that these populations are self-recruiting. A three-year study using passive, artificial collectors deployed in a gradient design around an isolated natal population investigated the hypothesis of self-recruitment. Spat settlement patterns measured the distributions of competent larvae as indicators of dispersal. This research also investigated the relationship between settler and brooder densities. Settler densities were not predicted by direction along or across the current, distance from the focal population, or by brooder densities. Settlement was widespread, and settlement patterns imply greater dispersal and larval mixing than previously reported. The swift currents and variable pelagic larval duration may enhance mixing and connectivity between populations. Demographically open recruitment should provide some resilience to disease mortality and fishing.     

Population study of Pectinaria australis (polychaeta) in Tasman Bay

Grab samples were taken from a population of Pectinaria australis Ehlers in Tasman Bay, New Zealand, at intervals over a 2‐year period, March 1971 to March 1973. Settlement occurred in summer with the new recruits showing rapid growth and heavy mortality, giving an apparent life cycle time of 1 y. The population density varied greatly over short distances at one time, presumably due to random settlement of aggregations of larvae from the plankton.     

First record of the Australian ascidian Eudistoma elongatum in northern New Zealand

A colonial ascidian was first reported by marine farmers in Houhora Harbour, Northland, New Zealand in early 2005 and subsequently found on oyster racks in Parengarenga Harbour and the Bay of Islands. The Northland ascidian was identified with a combination of morphological characters and DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequence data, as Eudistoma elongatum, a species native to Australia, where it is found from northern New South Wales to Northern Queensland, and distinguished from Eudistoma circumvallatum, the only reported species in this genus from New Zealand. Ascidian larvae are weak dispersers and long distance dispersal of E. elongatum is likely to be enhanced by vectors such as oyster barges and/or movement of cultured oysters. In its native range, E. elongatum is restricted to areas with a minimum winter sea temperature of 16°C. Assuming similar biological limitations apply in New Zealand, the spread of E. elongatum might be restricted to northern New Zealand (north of latitude 37°S).     

Comparison and history of Polydora websteri and P. haswelli (Polychaeta: Spionidae) as mud-blister worms in New Zealand shellfish

Shells of commercially valued bivalves in New Zealand, Crassostrea gigas, Perna canaliculus and Pecten novaezelandiae, are damaged by blister-causing Polydora polychaete species known to be close in morphology to the widely recorded oyster pest Polydora websteri Hartman. Recent New Zealand occurrences are here confirmed to relate to two species, P. websteri, and a second similar species, Polydora haswelli Blake & Kudenov, a new record for New Zealand, previously known only from Australia; the two species are described and compared. The worms have limited distributions, with P. websteri confirmed only for Pacific oysters (C. gigas) in northern New Zealand, although prior reports indicate it may also occur on scallops and have reached the northern South Island. Polydora haswelli has been found only in northern New Zealand, occurring on subtidal mussels and scallops and native oysters (Perna canaliculus, Pecten novaezelandiae, Ostrea chilensis), as well as co-existing with intertidal P. websteri on Pacific oysters. The worms are not present in Foveaux Strait O. chilensis beds, a major source of past oyster exports to Australia. The history of mud-blister worm outbreaks in Australasia is examined. While trans-Tasman exports of live oysters from New Zealand were commonplace during the nineteenth century, there is no evidence that mud-blister worms were present in New Zealand then. The earliest reports only date from the early 1970s and only from northern New Zealand, whereas a century earlier in the 1870s at least one of these pest worms had become widespread along eastern Australian coasts.     

Comparative descriptions of some oyster larvae from New Zealand and Chile,and a description of a new genus of oyster,Tiostrea

Detailed comparisons of the larvae of four species of New Zealand oyster (Saccostrea glomer‐ata, Crassostrea gigas, Ostrea lutaria, and a new species of Ostrea) and one Chilean oyster (Ostrea chilensis) showed that larvae of species other than O. lutaria and O. chilensis share certain features. One conspicuous feature is a distinct tract, termed here the posterior dorsal sulcus, which runs from the posterior margin of prodissoconch I to the valve margin of prodissoconch II; other characteristic features are an umbonate, inequivalve shell and a provinculum bearing distinct teeth. The larvae of O. lutaria and O. chilensis, in contrast, lack the posterior dorsal sulcus, are nonumbonate, and have nearly equal valves with an edentulous provinculum. These distinctive features, together with other adult features, suggest that the two species are more appropriately included in a separate genus. The name Tiostrea is proposed for the new genus. Certain supraspecific groupings within the Ostreinae need to be re‐examined in the light of breeding experiments.     

Feasibility of co-culture of the Australasian sea cucumber (Australostichopus mollis) with the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in northern New Zealand

The Australasian sea cucumber (Australostichopus mollis) has attracted commercial attention for aquaculture development, partly due to its potential for co-culture with shellfish and finfish species. However, minimal attention has been given to the possibility of co-culturing this species with oysters. In this study we evaluated the growth of juvenile sea cucumbers (36.7 ± 0.9 g, wet weight) caged underneath Pacific oyster farms in northern New Zealand. Co-culture started at the end of the summer, and after 304 days the juveniles had doubled in size (79.8 ± 3.3 g, wet weight), but their subsequent growth appeared to be constrained by overstocking of the cages and summer water temperatures, reaching a carrying capacity of 720 g m^?2. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the co-culture of juvenile sea cucumbers with Pacific oysters is feasible, if sea cucumber losses are reduced (between 33% and 52% lost in this study) and careful attention is given to stocking rates and the water temperature regimes of oyster farms in order to maintain adequate growth rates.     

The potential food poisoning hazard of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in New Zealand Pacific oysters

The level of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was generally very low in Pacific oysters sampled from 4 New Zealand oyster farms between November 1982 and May 1983. Of the 149 samples collected, only one was found to contain greater than the 1000 organisms g^‐1regarded as the maximum allowable by international standards (International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods 1982: Micro‐organisms in Foods, Vol. 2. Academic Press, New York). V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 57% of the oyster samples, but 95% of these contained less than 10 organisms g^‐1. Maximum levels appeared to coincide with high water temperatures at the farm sites. Chilling, freezing, and depuration reduced V. parahaemolyticus numbers in oysters after harvest. However, holding at ambient temperatures (19–25°C) resulted in up to a 35‐fold increase in organism numbers with a maximum after one day. The food poisoning hazard from V. parahaemolyticus in New Zealand‐grown Pacific oysters thus appears to be minimal. Recommendations are made to keep harvested shellfish cool and to chill them as soon as practical.     

Reproductive cycle and gonadial changes in the New Zealand rock oyster Crassostrea glomerata

The annual reproductive cycle and the cyclical changes in the gonad of the New Zealand rock oyster, Crassostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850), during the breeding period of 1970–71 and 1971–72 have been described. The gonad passes through an intermediate phase, after a post‐spawning period, when sex is indeterminate. Gametogenesis begins in July and August, but follicles ripen mostly during the spring months of October and November. Maximum development is seen in November, and nearly all oysters are in spawning condition in December and January. Major spawning takes place in January or February depending upon water temperature, and spawning continues until the end of March. Larvae may be found in the‐ plankton until late in the season, to the end of April or even May. Following spawning, gonadial regression sets in, with leucocyte infiltration and phagocytosis of residual gonial cells. A greater percentage of oysters more than 1 y old are females. The majority of oysters of age 1 y and below are males.     

A non-invasive anaesthetic method for accessing the brood chamber of the Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis)

A cost effective method to discern brooding from non-brooding specimens of the Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis Phillipi, 1844) is needed to optimise current hatchery practices for this species. Accordingly, we investigated the efficacy of two treatments, AQUI-S® and MgCl₂, in anaesthetising individuals of this species and then mapped any subsequent mortality of anaesthetised oysters. Oysters immersed for 3 h in solutions of 20, 40, 80 and 100 µL L^?1 of AQUI-S® exhibited no signs of anaesthesia and also recorded low levels of mortality (i.e. 8% or less). Conversely, oysters immersed in 30, 40 and 50 g L^?1 MgCl₂ showed between 96%–100% anaesthesia after 3 h whereas only 70% of oysters immersed in 60 g L^?1 MgCl₂ were anaesthetised over this time period. Time taken for 50% of oyster shells to open (SO₅₀) was compared among MgCl₂ treatments with oysters immersed in 60 g L^?1 taking significantly longer than (103 min) those immersed in 30–50 g L^?1 (SO₅₀ values of 43, 54 and 37 min respectively). Furthermore, treating oysters with MgCl₂ resulted in low levels of mortality (i.e. 13% or less) and was not related to MgCl₂ concentration. Thus, our results show that immersing O. chilensis in MgCl₂ to be an efficient and cost effective method to access the brood chamber of this species. We recommend the use of 30 g L^?1 for routine anaesthesia and recommend that future work investigates the efficacy of cheaper MgCl₂ sources and what effects MgCl₂ anaesthetisation has on developing larvae.     

Larval development of Boccardia knoxi,a shell‐infesting spionid polychaete

Larvae of Boccardia knoxi (Rainer) were reared in the laboratory after dissection from brood capsules extracted from the outer shell and perio‐stracum of Cookia sulcata and Haliotis iris collected from Tasman Bay, New Zealand. All the eggs within each brood capsule developed into embryos. The dissected larvae had provisional setae and fed on phytoplankton. Larval development is described through to metamorphosis.     

Sperm whales in the western south pacific

The distribution and movements of sperm whales, Physeter catodon Linn., in the western South Pacific (latitudes 30–70° S, longitudes 150E‐150°W) are examined. An undetermined number of catches by nineteenth century American whaleships, 9,720 catches by pelagic fleets in 1961–70, and 427 sightings in 1967 are analysed and correlated with oceanographic data from Australian and New Zealand surveys.

The proportion of females decreases southwards, abruptly at about latitude 44° S in the Tasman Sea, and at about 46–47° S east of New Zealand. Virtually no females occur south of 50° S. The male population density also decreases southwards: the density between 50–70° S appears to be less than 25% of that between 30–50° S. Sperm whales also appear to be less abundant in the eastern part of the region away from the New Zealand plateau, but more data are required.

The pattern of distribution and its seasonal changes probably correlate with vertical temperature gradients of about 5°c in the upper 100 m of water, i.e., optimal conditions for squid schooling. Catch per unit effort in autumn is lower than in spring. A northward population shift in autumn is inferred, based on reduction of available food species and probable temperature tolerances of calves, most of which are born in February and March, towards the end of the southern summer. Some males overwinter in areas where suitable gradients persist, e.g., around the Chatham Islands.

Possibly the summer surface temperature maxima south of the South Island are low enough to inhibit the passage of breeding schools with calves from one side of the New Zealand archipelago to the other. Sperm whales do not pass through Cook Strait normally. Thus, unless considerable mixing of stocks occurs north of New Zealand in winter, there may be two “unit stocks”, one oscillating seasonally between the central Tasman Sea and the Fiji‐Tonga region, and another (probably smaller) between the east coast of the South Island and the region just north of the Chatham Islands.     

Culture environment and hatchery of origin influence growth,condition and feeding organ morphology in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in South Africa

South Africa lacks a commercial oyster hatchery. To inform the sourcing of seed for future hatchery establishments, we compared half-sib Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas cohorts from hatcheries in Namibia and Chile. We measured oyster growth, mortality, condition and feeding organ morphology in Algoa Bay (AB, Eastern Cape) and Saldanha Bay (SB, Western Cape), South Africa, from July 2011 to June 2012. Within SB, 14.3% of mean daily sea temperatures exceeded this species’ thermal optimum of 19 °C, compared to 50.5% in AB. Food abundance (mean daily chlorophyll a concentration) in SB (7.8 mg m^–3) was double that in AB (3.9 mg m^–3) where, presumably to increase particle clearance rates in a relatively phytoplankton-poor environment, oysters had larger gill:palp surface area ratios. Plankton fatty acid profiles (indicators of food quality) differed between locations. In AB, instantaneous growth rates differed between cohorts, and trends varied seasonally. Within both locations, condition index was usually higher in Chilean oysters, whereas shell density was higher in Namibian oysters. In AB only, Chilean seed suffered substantially higher summer mortalities than Namibian seed, suggesting that the latter are more suited to temperatures in AB. AB should also be assessed for culture of the indigenous oyster species that occur there.     

The Role of Suspended Oyster Culture on Nitrogen Cycle in Hiroshima Bay

The predominance of bivalves affects the cycle of materials in the coastal ecosystem. In the present study, the role of suspended oyster culture on the nitrogen cycle was demonstrated for the northern Hiroshima Bay. The nitrogen cycle was considered as two systems, (1) the primary production (PP) system and (2) the oyster culture (OC) system. The results show that about 26% of N productivity was supplied to process by cultured oysters in the OC system. This process varies seasonally due to the seasonal variations of PON, physiological activities and biomass of oysters. The N processing rates were found to be high in summer and low in winter. The biodeposition and excretion of N in the OC system are 3.0 and 2.1 ton N d^–1, while the natural sedimentation rate and N regeneration in the PP system are 8.3 and 18.0 ton N d^–1, which indicates that the PP system is a major system regenerating N in the water column. The release of total dissolved N from the bottom to the water column is about 8.3 ton N d^–1. The amount of N harvested as oyster product was about 1.3 ton N d^–1, which is about 10% of daily N loading in north Hiroshima Bay. According to the N cycle developed in the present study, the results suggest the significant role of suspended oyster culture on the nitrogen cycle in Hiroshima Bay. In addition, our results indicate that oyster production was efficiently harvested, suggesting that oyster culture could probably be used as a tool to remove N from Hiroshima Bay.     

Survey of historical New Zealand shellfish samples for accumulation of gymnodimine

In 1994 a major biotoxin event occurred along the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand. Gymnodimine, a unique bioactive spiroimine, was isolated and characterised from Foveaux Strait dredge oysters (Tiostrea chilensis = Ostrea chilensis) collected during this outbreak. This study reports the results of liquid chromatographic‐mass spectrometric analysis for gymnodimine in 217 samples from eight species of shellfish over the years 1993–99. Of these samples 155, covering six species of shellfish, contained detectable gymnodimine with a range in concentration from 14.8 to 23 400 μg/kg. Gymnodimine‐containing shellfish occurred at 37 of the 63 sites sampled from around New Zealand. This study demonstrates that accumulation of gymnodimine is not limited to T. chilensis and can occur in other shellfish species over much of New Zealand. Gymnodimine is a possible cause of the numerous historical biotoxin screen‐positive results.     

Larval life span,larval settlement,and early growth of Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes)

Development, settlement, and subsequent metamorphosis on several substrata were observed in cultures of Evechinus chloroticus larvae. The period from fertilisation to metamorphosis ranged between 30 and 63 days for larvae collected from spawnings induced at 3 different times. Newly settled sea urchins collected from the field grew about 1 mm per month in aquaria. Correlation of the larval life span with the growth rate of newly settled sea urchins suggested that the earliest spawning could occur was mid‐November. This finding corroborates the results of previous histo‐logical studies of the gonads of adult sea urchins in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.     

Larval stages,developmental ecology,and distribution of Scyllarus sp. Z (probably Scyllarus aoteanus Powell, 1949) (Decapoda: Scyllaridae)

Phyllosomata and nistos of Scyllarus sp. Z taken from plankton around and offshore northern New Zealand and in the Tasman Sea are presumed to be those of S. aoteanus Powell, 1949, the most common Scyllarus species in this area. The full larval and postlarval development of this species are described. Three features are characteristic of Scyllarus sp. Z phyllosomata; a dorsal crest on the cephalic shield, dorsal thoracic spines, and a forked telson in middle stages persisting as two prominent spines outreaching the telson posterior margin in the final stage. Scyllarus sp. Z's closest affinities are with a group of Scyllarus species whose phyllosomata have forked telsons in middle stages and medium to strong posterolateral telson spines in the final stage. The nisto is low in profile but distinctive in its armature. Too few Scyllarus sp. nistos have been described to suggest any group to which that of Scyllarus sp. Z can be assigned. The spatial and temporal distribution of the larvae and postlarvae of Scyllarus sp. Z are also described. Although early larval stages and postlarvae are found close to New Zealand, mid‐ and late‐stage larvae are widely distributed, some well beyond the known latitudinal range of the adults. There is probably an extended egg‐bearing and hatching period as early stage larvae are caught in most months. Variable rates of development of the larvae and/or delayed metamorphosis, are also possible.     

Catastrophic reduction of the oyster,Tiostrea chilensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae), in Foveaux Strait,New Zealand,due to infestation by the protistan Bonamia sp.

Between 1985 and 1992, mortality due to infestation by the protistan Bonamia sp. severely reduced the numbers of the oyster, Tiostrea chilensis in Foveaux Strait, New Zealand. In 1990, two dredge surveys gave relative estimates, and a dive survey an absolute estimate, of the size of this oyster population; this allowed us to estimate dredge efficiency precisely. This estimate was used to re‐evaluate the dredge survey of 1975–76 and relate the size of the population in 1990 to that in 1975. By 1990 the population density had declined by 67% while a dredge survey in 1992 showed that the population density had declined by 91% from 1975. A dredge survey in 1993 showed that the population had increased slightly (but not significantly) over the 1992 level. By 1992 the population had probably been reduced below 10% of the virgin level. The fishery was closed in 1993 to allow the population to rebuild. The population surveys have followed stratified random and grid pattern sampling designs and the merits of the designs and methodology are discussed.     

Bioenergetics of parental investment in two polychaete species with contrasting reproductive strategies: The planktotrophic Boccardia chilensis and the poecilogonic Boccardia wellingtonensis (Spionidae)

The level of parental investment for larval nutrition may determine the life cycle in marine invertebrate species laying egg masses or capsules, where the food available for enclosed individuals would determine time and developmental stage of hatching. Most species show a unique type of larval development. However, few species are poecilogonous and combine more than one development type. Poecilogony, although scarcely studied, allows comparing different patterns of parental reproductive investment, without the phylogenetic effect of the species ancestral modes of development (phylogenetic inertia), to help to understand the factors determining life strategy evolution in marine invertebrates. The poecilogonous polychaete worm Boccardia wellingtonensis encapsulates and incubates its offspring, which then hatches as either planktotrophic larvae or benthic juveniles; while Boccardia chilensis shows a non-poecilogonous reproductive type, producing only planktotrophic larvae. In this work, we estimated the bioenergetic and biochemical composition of brooding and non-brooding females of B. wellingtonensis and B. chilensis to compare the costs of reproduction in these two species. Results showed that glucose, protein, lipid, and energy content were significantly higher in non-brooding than in brooding females of B. wellingtonensis; but also contained significantly more glucose, protein, and lipid than females of B. chilensis (in absolute and relative dry weight values). The poecilogonous species showed higher energy content previous to laying offspring. Our results support the idea that the evolution of a certain reproductive and life history traits in marine invertebrates is related to adaptations in the female's reproductive investment.     

Seasonal settlement of shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) in Tauranga Harbour and Wellington Harbour

The seasons of settlement of shipworms in Tauranga and Wellington harbours in 1970–72 were studied using Pinus radiata test‐blocks. At Wellington the seasonal abundance of late‐stage shipworm larvae was monitored in the plankton. In Tauranga Harbour Bankia australis, Lyrodus medilobatus, Lyrodus pedicellatus, and Nototeredo edaxspawned and settled predominantly in summer, when water temperatures were above 17–18°C. Bankia neztalia had peak periods of settlement in winter and early summer and there was no correlation of settlement with water temperature. In Wellington Harbour B. neztalia spawned and settled mainly during winter when water temperatures were 11–15°C. Total larval abundance at the 2 test sites in Wellington Harbour was an approximate indication of the relative intensity of settlement, but seasonal larval abundance did not correlate well with seasonal settlement. B. neztalia larvae settled on air‐dried Pinus radiata wood within 6 days of the immersion of the wood. Annual variations in patterns of settlement of shipworms in the 2 harbours are related to variations in water temperatures.     

First capture and description of larval torrentfish (Cheimarrichthys fosteri) during their seaward migration

While many of New Zealand’s freshwater fishes undertake larval migrations as part of their amphidromous life-history, little is known of the larval stages of these fish. Torrentfish (Cheimarrchthys fosteri), a New Zealand endemic, amphidromous, riffle specialist are particularly enigmatic; their spawning sites and behaviours are unknown, and larvae have never been collected either emigrating from freshwater or during their marine feeding phase. During summer drift sampling, we captured unidentified fish larvae emigrating downstream in the Waianakarua River, South Island, New Zealand. Based on multiple lines of evidence (meristic comparisons with adults, morphology, time of capture, and adult fish populations of the Waianakarua) we identify these larvae as torrentfish. This represents the first time torrentfish larvae have been captured or identified, laying the foundations for future studies into the early life-history and ecology of this unique and threatened fish.