The breeding of Crepidula fornicata (L.) in the River Blackwater, Essex

Abstract

The chain-forming prosobranchiate gastropod Crepidula fornicata is not indigenous to British waters, but has been introduced during the last 70 or 80 years, probably from North America, upon imported oysters, and, during this period, has spread to most of the oyster beds on the south-east and south coasts of this country (see Orton, 1950b, for a recent discussion of its present distribution). In spite of the interest shown in this species because of its detrimental effect upon oyster culture, and because of its well-known change of sex from male to female, little is known in the literature of its breeding habits here, or in North America. Conklin (1897) states that the spawning period in New England lasts from early summer to about mid-August, no larvae being found in late August. Murie (1911), in discussing the introduction of this species, elaborates upon Conklin's observations, and gives evidence that females, in samples of Crepidula taken from the River Colne in May and September 1898, contained spawn beneath their shells. Orton (1912a, p. 438) states that he is ‘informed by Professor Conklin that American Crepidulae begin to spawn in May and possibly in April, whilst English Crepidulae begin to spawn in early March’. In a footnote, he adds ‘Crepidula spawned in tanks at Plymouth in early February’.