Dataset: Archived Oyster Samples Collected from the Delaware Bay from 2018 to 2021 (SEGO project)

Sampling and analytical procedures:

Spat and adult samples dredge-collected from the James Joseph research vessel were based on standard operating procedures for the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory annual dredge survey to monitor the natural oyster (seed) beds on the New Jersey side of Delaware Bay. Annual stock assessment workshop reports related to these samples (Rutgers oyster SAW reports) are available at https://hsrl.rutgers.edu/documents/delaware-bay-oyster-stock-assessment-reports/ and should be consulted for dredge method details and definitions for spat versus adult life stages. Additional published reports describing aspects of the oyster population are given below.

In general for transect analysis samples, sample collections for the SEGO project piggy-backed on Haskin monthly monitoring program collections. The Haskin program consistently samples oysters from the same grids every month (see SAW reports for a definition of grid). Dredge contents were hand sorted to find spat if present. All spat were collected. A sample of 50 adult oysters from each site was haphazardly (without size selection) culled, cleaned of fouling organisms, measured for shell height (hinge to longest dimension), and shucked for tissue dissection and preservation in ethanol. For challenge experiments, many more dredge hauls were required from the same area to find sufficient numbers of similar-sized adults. They were processed by cleaning them of fouling organisms and arranging them in four ambient-salinity and room temperature raceways and fed frozen shellfish diet according to manufacturers protocols: 0.18 mL per animal based on 10g meat weight. Feces and pseudo-fences were siphoned out every day and water was changed approximately every 4th day throughout the challenge experiment. Challenge experimental protocols will be reported in conjunction with genomic analyses.