Influence of Substrate Color on Oyster Shell Colonization.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of substrate color on the recruitment and colonization of Crassostrea virginica reef-associated organisms in an artificial reef system in the St. Mary's River. Substrate color significantly affected community abundance, but the specific pattern depended on locomotion and species. The sessile community preferred blue substrate, which was largely driven by the strong settlement preference of tube-forming polychaetes (serpulid worms). Motile species showed recruitment preference for red shells. Mud coverage and erosion negatively affected the recruitment of sessile species but did not affect motile species recruitment.