The Allometry of Oysters: Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Length-Biomass Relationships for Crassostrea virginica

摘要: We examine the relationship of biomass B and length L in eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica by focusing on scaling exponent b allometric equation = aLb using four datasets: Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Galveston Bay a regionally extensive compilation from NOAA Mussel Watch Program. The average value is about 2. For distinctly higher, near 2.6. Over all sites, again Within salinity gradient exerts an important effect. Shells are longer for their meat weight at lower salinities. range exponents revealed data exceedingly large (b 3). Scaling below 2.5 unusual bivalves. Among bivalves, only other taxa have comparably low averaging propose that routinely scales nearer square rather than cube this constraint imposed exigency carbonate production reef maintenance accretion face high rates taphonomic degradation. adaptation as builder requires formation rapidly breaks down, thus requiring produced be maximized. A biomass-to-length 2 provides mechanism to maximize shell relative biomass, while same time providing maximum surface area all-important settling spat maintain population.