Galveston Bay Oyster Studies, 1971

Galveston Bay oyster stocks were studied to detect changes which might affect the public reef oyster harvest. A mild winter and above normal salinity values favored increased disease (Labyrinthomyxa) incidence as well as increased predation from oyster drills (Thais) and stone crabs (Menippe). These factors resulted in annual death rates of 52% to 55% among older oysters groups. Oyster spat in an epidemic area were Labyrinthomyxa-infected by fall and suffered above normal mortality.