|
II. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
Regional Occurrence:
The flat tree oyster is found only in the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico (Hall 1985). Isognomon alatus occurs from central Florida to Bermuda, the Bahamas, West Indies, Caribbean Central America, and as far south as Brazil (Mikkelsen and Bieler 2008). It is generally found along the sub-tidal and intertidal surfaces of mangrove roots, in particular the red mangrove tree (Rhizophora mangle L.) (Siung 1980, Hall 1985).
IRL Distribution:
Isognomon alatus is common on the mangrove roots in the Indian River Lagoon.
III. LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION BIOLOGY
Age, Size, Lifespan:
Adult flat tree oysters range from 75 mm to 95 mm in length (Mikkelsen and Bieler 2008). The shells of Isognomon alatus usually grow 4-5 cm in height, individuals as large as 9 cm have been encountered (Siung 1980).
Abundance:
In a study of the fouling community of the Loxahatchee River Estuary south of the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, Isognomon alatus was reported to be abundant in areas with highest salinities (McPherson et al. 1984).
Reproduction:
Isognomon alatus participates in mass spawning events peaking after the onset of high rains when the salinity of seawater is lower (Siung 1980).
Embryology:
The prodissoconch planktonic larvae of the flat tree oyster are
approximately 210-237 µ wide and 260-280 µ long just prior to settlement.
After settlement and subsequent attachment by byssal threads, the shell
extends around the prodissoconch (Siung 1980).
IV. PHYSICAL TOLERANCES
Temperature:
There have been no specific studies of the temperature tolerance for
Isognomon alatus, however experiments investigating the effects of
temperature on heart rate suggest normal physiological function between 25
and 35°C (Hall 1985).
Salinity:
There have been no specific studies of the salinity tolerance for Isognomon alatus.
V. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Trophic Mode:
The flat tree oyster is a filter feeder, using its gills to remove plankton and detritus from the water column.
VII.
REFERENCES
Hall JG. 1985. The adaptation of enzymes to temperature: catalytic
characterization of glucose phosphate isomerase homologues isolated from
Mytilis edulis and Isognomon alatus, bivalve molluscs
inhabiting different thermal environments. Molecular Biology and Evolution
2:251-269.
ITIS. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Available online.
McPherson BF, Sonntag WH, and M Sabanskas. 1984. Fouling community of the
Loxahatchee River Estuary, Florida, 1980-1981. Estuaries 7:149-157.
Mikkelsen PM and R Bieler. 2008. Seashells of Southern Florida. Princeton
University Press, Princeton, NJ. pg. 98-99
Siung AM. 1980. Studies on the biology of Isognomon alatus Gmelin
(Bivalvia: Isognomonidae) with notes on its potential as a commercial
species. Bull. Mar. Sci. 30: 90-101.
Trueman ER and GA Lowe. 1971. The effect of temperature and littoral
exposure on the heart rate of a bivalve mollusc, Isognomon alatus,
in tropical conditions. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 38A: 555-564.
Report by:
Melany P. Puglisi and Maribel Thiebaud, Smithsonian Marine Station
Submit additional information, photos or comments
to:
irl_webmaster@si.edu
Page last updated: October 1, 2008 |
