Tiostrea lutaria
Date of introduction and origin
Tiostrea lutaria was first introduced to Britain from
New Zealand to the MAFF Fisheries Laboratory, Conwy, north Wales,
for quarantine procedures. Individuals were introduced into the
wild in 1963 but these died out in the severe winter. A subsequent
introduction was made in 1970 into the Menai Strait from seed
produced at Conwy in 1966 (Walne 1979; Utting 1987).
Method of introduction
Deliberate commercial introduction of brood stock oysters was
made into quarantine.
Reasons for success
Unknown.
Rate of spread and methods involved
This species has spread less than 1 km in 25 years. This
oyster broods its larvae to the stage of metamorphosis so that upon
liberation from the parent, the larvae settle within a few hours in
the vicinity of the parent.
Distribution
It is found in the Menai Strait, North Wales.
Factors likely to influence spread and distribution
This species cannot survive severely cold winters (Utting
& Spencer 1992) and can be preyed upon where no alternative
prey items are present (Richardson et al. 1993).
Effects on the environment
Unknown.
Effects on commercial interests
It is a commercially important edible species.
Control methods used and effectiveness
None used.
Beneficial effects
It is of potential commercial importance but is susceptible to
the disease of flat oysters caused by Bonamia sp. so it is
not viable to cultivate them commercially in the UK (S.D. Utting
pers. comm.).
Comments
Tiostrea lutaria is thought to be conspecific with
the Chilean oyster Tiostrea chilensis with the latter name
possibly taking priority (Buroker et al. 1983).
References
Buroker, N.E., Chanley, P., Cranfield, H.J., & Dinamani,
P. 1983. Systematic status of two oyster populations of the genus
Tiostrea from New Zealand and Peru. Marine
Biology, 77: 191-200.
Richardson, C.A., Seed, R., Al-Roumaihi, E., & McDonald,
L. 1993. Distribution, shell growth and predation of the New
Zealand oyster Tiostrea (= Ostrea)
lutaria Hutton, in the Menai Strait, North Wales.
Journal of Shellfish Research, 12B:
207-214.
Utting, S.D. 1987. Fresh prospects for bivalve farming.
Fish Farmer, 10: 17-18.
Utting, S.D., & Spencer, B.E. 1992. Introductions of
bivalve molluscs into the United Kingdom for commercial culture -
case histories. ICES Marine Science Symposium,
194: 84-91.
Walne, P.R. 1979. Culture of bivalve molluscs, 50 years
experience at Conwy: 2nd ed. Farnham, Fishing News
(Books).
Acknowledgements (contributions from questionnaire)
Dr S.D. Utting, MAFF Fisheries Laboratory, Conwy.