Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Boring and fouling organisms of the edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) from the Pulicat Lake, South India.

Volume 30 Issue 1&2

R.Thangavelu and P. J. Sanjeevaraj

Abstract

The present paper deals with the borers and foulers in the edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis from the Pulicat Lake. Oysters become fouled by barnacles, tunicates, mussels, bryozoans, bydroids and sponges; and damaged by boring sponges and tube-dwelling polychaetes. The polychaete borer, Polydom ciliata is responsible for the destruction of the shell by making multiple tumours, sometimes on both the shells of the oyster. The extent of damage to the shell, density and size range of polychaetes found in the shell and probable effects on the adductor muscle scar are discussed in detail.

The occurrence of boring and fouling organisms have been correlated with the environmental parameters such as salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen.

Date : 31-12-1988