Hofstetter, Robert P.Texas Parks & Wildlife Coastal Fisheries Project Report 19712010-02-152010-02-151971http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/19904pages 107-124; available for download at the link below.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.oystersstock assessmentoyster reefsoyster fisheriespredationfungal diseasesoyster drillsstone crabseedspatlarval settlementmortalitysurvivalTechnical Report