Meet the Species “On (and swimming around) the Reef”

The species on this page are typical of north Florida oyster reefs. Dr. David Kimbro, Dr. Randall Hughes, and their colleagues are conducting an NSF funded study into predators and predator effects on oyster reefs. In addition, Dr. David Kimbro and his graduate student, Hanna Garland, are researching the drought-stricken oyster reefs of Apalachicola Bay. Included in the descriptions of species are links to blog posts related to both studies.

Foundation Species

American Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) also known as the Eastern Oyster
Like the smooth cordgrass is the foundational species of a salt marsh, the oysters that comprise a reef create an ecosystem.  Click to expand

Top Predators

Hardhead Catfish (Arius felis)
In north Florida, catfish are dominant predators in the oyster reef ecosystem. Click to expand

Its whiskers, known as barbels, are used to find small fish, crabs, and shrimp.  On north Florida oyster reefs, their primary importance is as a predator of mud crabs.  By eating and scaring mud crabs, they regulate the crab’s ability to consume oysters.

Sail Catfish (Bagre marinus)also known as the Gafftopsail catfish
Similar to the Hardhead catfish, the gafftopsail is distinguished by its venomous spines.  Click to expand

Similar to the Hardhead catfish, the gafftopsail is distinguished by its venomous spines. Like the hardhead, it is an omnivore with a preference for crustaceans like blue crabs and mud crabs.

Toadfish (Opsanus tau)also known as the ugly toad and the oyster cracker
The toadfish is a primary predator of mud crabs on the North Carolina reefs where Dr. David Kimbro and Dr. Randall Hughes began their research careers.  Click to expand

Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
A popular delicacy in this habitat is the blue crab, which is the crab used to make Maryland crab cakes. Click to Expand

Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria)
Stone crabs have strong, meaty claws that are used to crush oysters.  Click to expand

Oyster Predators

Atlantic Oyster Drill (Urosalpinx cinerea)
Oyster drills use their radula to bore holes into oysters and clams. Click to expand

Southern Oyster Drill (Thais haemastoma)
This oyster drill species is a problem in commercial oyster fisheries, and large numbers have been found in Apalachicola Bay.   Click to Expand.

The southern oyster drill pictured here was captured in Apalachicola Bay, where higher salinity induced by drought conditions has created an environment hospitable to oyster predators such as drills and crown conchs.

David Kimbro presents his team’s findings regarding oyster predators in Apalachicola Bay.  Click here for more.

 

Crown Conch (Melongena corona)
Crown conchs consume oysters by inserting their proboscis between an oyster’s valves.  Click to expand

The crown conch is a main predator of the Gulf Coast salt marsh, feeding on periwinkle snails.  This helps control periwinkle numbers, benefiting the marsh habitat.  Crown conchs play a different role on oyster reefs, consuming oysters by inserting their proboscis between the oyster’s valves.  Conchs thrive in higher salinity water, and can overrun a drought-stricken oyster reef.  In Apalachicola Bay, as in Saint Augustine, the crown conch afflicts intertidal oyster reefs.  Apalachicola’s commercially harvested subtidal reefs are infested (as of early 2013) with a different snail, the southern oyster drill.

David Kimbro presents his team’s findings regarding oyster predators in Apalachicola Bay.  Click here here for more.

Banded Tulip (Fasciolaria hunteria)
The banded tulip is a predator that feed on oysters as well as bivalves such as clams.  Click to Expand

The banded tulip is a predator that feeds on oysters as well as bivalves such as clams.

Mud Crab (Panopeus sp.)
Panopeus species range in size from the miniscule herbstrii to larger individuals closer in size to stone crabs. Click to expand

Panopeus species range in size from the miniscule herbstrii to larger individuals closer in size to stone crabs.  Their hefty claws are ideal for tearing through young oyster shells to consume their meat. Mud crabs are in turn consumed by stone crabs, toadfish, catfish, and blue crabs

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Other Species In & Around the Reef

Black Drum (Pogonias cromis)
The largest of the drum family, the black drum is common in brackish waters such as those in which oyster reefs are found.  Click to Expand

Lightning Whelk (Busycon contrarium)
Like the crown conch, the lightning whelk uses its proboscis to pry bivalves open and suck out the flesh.  Click to expand

Pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera)

Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)
The pinfish gets its name from the sharp spines in its dorsal fin.  Click to expand

Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) also known as Redfish, Channel Bass, Spottail Bass, or Reds
The red drum is a popular catch for the sport fisherman, and is widely consumed by humans.  Click to expand

Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)
As juveniles, red snapper often use oyster reefs for refuge.  Click to expand

Silver Perch (Bairdiella chrysoura)

Snapping Shrimp (Alpheidae family)
Snapping shrimp are known for their claws which make a “popping” sound that can be heard on intertidal oyster reefs.  Click to expand

Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus)
Striped mullet is an international fish, found along coastlines of every continent except Antarctica. Click to expand

Thinstripe Hermit Crab (Clibinarius vittatus)
Hermit crabs occupy gastropod shells of all kinds, either finding them empty or attacking occupied shells. Click to Expand.

Hermit crabs occupy gastropod shells of all kinds, either finding them empty or attacking occupied shells.  Dr. David Kimbro’s graduate student, Hanna Garland, had noticed that they were often a predator of crown conchs in the oyster reefs south of Saint Augustine.  Those reefs had been overrun with the conchs.  Read more about Hanna Garland’s Hermit Crab/Crown Conch Cage Matches here.

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)
Click to expand.