black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Biology. A sedentary sestonophage. The left shell attaches to the substrate. Feeds on
detritus, phyto- and bacterioplankton. Fertilization in mantle cavity. Fertility 800,000
- 900,000 eggs. The planktonic larvae develop in 8-14 days.
Population trends. A commercial resource till the 1970s. Towards the end of the
1970s, the range started shrinking and the abundance of oysters drastically declined.
By 1985 the species had completely disappeared in Dzarylgachsky (52,000,000
individuals in 1979) and Karkinitsky bays (207,000,000-1,766,000,000 individuals in
1979).
Conservation measures taken. Catching prohibited. Included in the Red Data Book
of Ukraine.
Conservation measures proposed. Conserve the remaining populations. Organize
marine farms and breeding grounds for receiving spat. Reduce Black Sea pollution.
References
Borcea, I., 1926-1927. Note sur les huitres du littoral roumain de la mer Noire. Ann.
ScLUniv. Jassy 14: 111-128.
Borcea, I., 1930-1931. Nouvelle contribution a l'étude de la faune benthonique dans
la mer Noire près du littoral roumain. Ann. Sci. Univ. Jassy 16: 655-750.
FAO, 1973. Identification sheets for fishery purposes. Mediterranean and Black Sea,
fishing area 37. Rome.
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