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The determination and use of condition index of oysters

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Abstract

Oyster condition measures should be standardized through use of Hopkins’ formula: Condition Index = (dry meat weight in g) (100)/(internal cavity volume in cm3). Cavity volumes, previously measured chiefly as capacity by a water displacement method, may be determined by subtracting the weight in air of the oyster’s valves from the weight in air of the intact oyster (both in g). This method is valid because the effective density of cavity contents is close to 1g per cm3. The technique is simple and time-efficient and could promote more widespread use of oyster condition studies.

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Author notes

  1. Geoffrey I. Scott

    Present address: Research Planning Institute, Inc., 925 Gervais Street, 29201, Columbia, South Carolina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research, University of South Carolina, 29208, Columbia, South Carolina

    David R. Lawrence & Geoffrey I. Scott

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  1. David R. Lawrence
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  2. Geoffrey I. Scott
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Additional information

Contribution No. 363 of the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research; Contribution No. 81 of the Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory.

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Lawrence, D.R., Scott, G.I. The determination and use of condition index of oysters. Estuaries 5, 23–27 (1982). https://doi.org/10.2307/1352213

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