A new paper entitled “Competitive feeding interactions between native Ostrea edulis and non-native Crassostrea gigas with implications of introducing C. gigas into commercial aquaculture in the eastern Adriatic Sea” is published in the Marine Environmental Research
A new paper entitled “Distribution patterns of two co-existing oyster species in the northern Adriatic Sea: The native European flat oyster Ostrea edulis and the nonnative Pacific oyster Magallana gigas” is published in the Ecological Indicators
Paper dealing with the reproductive cycle of the Pacific oyster is published in the Mediterranean Marine Science
The first paper with the overview of the presence of the Pacific oyster along the eastern Adriatic coast is published in the Acta Adritica
On the beginning of the March, we analysed settlement of the oysters on the collectors deployed in the August 2018. As species identification of small specimens could be a real challenge, we also performed some molecular analysis to identify was it O. edulis or M. gigas.
Project COCOA officially finished on 15th of January 2019, but some activities will continue. A manuscript entitled “Distribution of non-native Pacific oyster Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793) along the eastern Adriatic coast” is under the review, and we hope to submit all COCOA project manuscripts by the end of 2019. Wish us luck :)
Tissues from both oysters species and also a potential food sources were prepared for the stable isotope analysis to determinate an isotope niche overlap of native and non-native oysters. Prepared samples were sent for the analysis in the commercial lab.
Histology slides of all collected M. gigas specimens were prepared and analysed. Reproduction cycle was described and the manuscript will be prepared soon…stay tuned…
Project was disseminated on the Radio HRT Split in the Jadran Marniković show “Podvučeno plavim”. We were talking how we got an idea for the project, what are we doing, once again we ask for people to get involve and report if they found strange oysters during the seaside walking.
We continued with sampling in the main ports and aquaculture sites along the eastern Adriatic coast. In only one week we droved 2000 km and sampled from Dubrovnik on the south to the Lim bay on the north. Project Co-PI Dr Elizabeta Briski joined us on this part of sampling and collected samples were send to her lab at GEOMAR and waiting for molecular analysis.
This year Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries hosted citizens and scholars on the Mediterranean Coast Day organised by PAP/RAC. Visitors were guided to the different laboratories and we used this opportunity to present our project. Aquariums with both oyster species were prepared, flyers with information about invasive oysters were printed etc. We had a really nice time with kids answering all their questions.
In collaboration with Istrida d.o.o. we prepare collectors for the oyster spat. Lines with spat collectors were placed in several locations within Lim Bay.
In cooperation with NP “Brijuni” team members performed a visual census survey at 4 different locations within the park. We collected the first data about distribution and abundance of invasive oyster species in NP “Brijuni”. During dives besides counting and measuring oysters we had the opportunity to enjoy untouched underwater beauty and this field trip will probably remain the best field trip of this project :)
The first results of the project were presented at the International Meeting on Marine Research 2018 in Peniche, Portugal. Abstracts: Stagličić N, Šegvić Bubić T, Grubišić L, Bojanić Varezić D, Ezgeta-Balić D. Distribution of invasive Magallana (Crassostrea) gigas and native Ostrea edulis oysters in natural habitats of the Northern Adriatic Sea. Ezgeta-Balić D, Šegvić Bubić T, Žužul I, Bojanić Varezić D, Stagličić N, Peharda M, Mandić I. Feeding habits of the invasive Magallana gigas and native Ostrea edulis oysters in the Adriatic Sea – are they in competition?
Experiment on physiological rates of two oysters species was done under the laboratory conditions. This experiment, together with performed “in-situ” experiments and stomach content and stable isotope analysis will give answers about possible competition for food sources of those two species. This will be a part of Petra Kundid MSc thesis.
Visual census survey was performed in May at 12 different locations along the west Istria coast. With precious help of Dr Leon Grubišić and Luka Čulić, team members collected first data about distribution and abundance of invasive species in the eastern Adriatic Sea.
Samplings of bivalve larvae were performed in the main ports along the eastern Adriatic coast (Pula, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Ploče and Dubrovnik) and in the main aquaculture sites (Lim Bay and Mali Ston Bay). Collected samples will be sent to the Dr Briski lab at GEOMAR for the further molecular analysis.
A feeding experiment was performed in April in Lim Bay. The aim of the experiment is to see differences in utilization of the available food among two oyster species: Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas. This experiment is part of the MSc thesis of Petra Kundid.
Sharing our experience with Tinytag data loggers with manufacturer, read the whole text on the following link: [Tinytag data loggers are monitoring water temperature in research into oyster reproduction and development.] (https://www.geminidataloggers.com/articles/temperature-monitoring-oyster-research)
[Is Croatia Closing the Gender Gap in Science?] (http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2018/03/08/croatia-science-gender-gap) Today, on International Women’s Day, we would like to introduce you to four Croatian women. These women are inspiring, because they spend their days pushing the boundaries of knowledge in artificial intelligence, IT, reproductive biology, ecology, biochemistry and enzymology. They are female researchers working in the male-dominated fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) - fields where women account for only 28% of the world’s researchers.
Presentation about marine environment to the kids from Elementary school “Sučidar”. Dr Barbara Zorica and Daria Ezgeta Balić were talking about seawater properties and marine organisms. Special attention was given to the invasive species, including C. gigas.
Dr Elizabeta Briski visited Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in the February. During her stay meeting with all team member was done and future project activities were discussed. Furthermore, Dr Briski gave a lecture for the scientist and students entitled “Stage-based invasion process.“
Involving citizen scientist in the project is important for getting knowledge about the spread of invasive species in the areas that are not covered by this project. Call for involvement was published on several web-portals.
We analysed beam trawl commercial catch during one-day fishing activity. All oysters specimens were separated form the catch and species were determined. Good news – there is no C. gigas in the beam trawl catch.
Students from the Department for Marine Studies, Petra Kundid and Vibor Pržulj, started to work on their MSc thesis. Petra will work on the comparative analysis of feeding habits of two oysters species, and Vibor will investigate biological and ecological characteristics of invasive oyster species in the Adriatic Sea.
Filed work for the project started in the Lim bay with the strong support of Emil and Ivan and their workers from Istrida doo. We marked over 300 C. gigas for the growth analysis, collected specimens of both oyster species for the analysis of reproduction, feeding habits and trace elements in the shell. We will continue with sampling on monthly basis. Stay tuned.
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