Digital Commons @ LIU

Crepidula fornicata shell beds as a potential spatial refuge for bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians, in the Peconic Bays, New York

Peconic bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, populations have increased greatly since 2006 due to restoration efforts. The preferred scallop habitat of eelgrass, Zostera marina, has declined dramatically over several decades, but scallop populations have nevertheless continued to grow. Therefore, it is logical that scallops are taking advantage of some other suitable habitat in place of eelgrass. Extensive field observations have been made of small (seed) scallops attaching within Crepidula shell beds, suggesting that these may offer some form of spatial refuge for seed scallops. In preliminary field trials, some of the seed scallops planted on Crepidula beds remained after 2 months - also suggesting the potential value of this habitat. Observations were also made in the lab by mimicking Crepidula shell clumps on sand. Seed scallops were observed attaching to the shells when these were placed facing upside down as well as in their normal orientation. Determining Crepidula as a spatial refuge could increase the scallop populations starting with seed survival by improving planting mechanisms.