Measuring infaunal population dynamics relies on destructive sampling that disturbs sediments and removes animals from their habitat. Establishing effective, non-invasive sampling methods for monitoring infaunal populations can reduce the impact of scientific sampling and facilitate efficient population assessments. Using intertidal soft-shell clams ( Mya arenaria L.) in eastern Canada, we explored whether population density a...

Introduction Noise pollution is a major stressor in the marine environment; however, responses of economically and ecologically important invertebrates, such as oysters, are largely unknown. Methods Under laboratory conditions, we measured acute behavioral and physiological responses of eastern oysters ( Crassostrea virginica) to sound treatments mimicking human activity in the environment. Results Oysters immediately reduced...

Valvometry is a non-invasive technique used to continuously monitor gaping behaviour of bivalves at high frequency. In previous laboratory studies, valvometry has revealed a behavioural sensitivity of bivalves to the presence of toxic microalgae in seawater. However, the application of valvometry as an early-warning system for detecting natural occurrences of toxic microalgae and their resulting toxicity in bivalves remains la...

Sustained periods of anoxia, driven by eutrophication, threaten coastal marine systems and can lead to mass mortalities of even resilient animals such as bivalves. While mortality rates under anoxia are well‐studied, the specific mechanism(s) of mortality are less clear. We used a suite of complementary techniques (LT50, histology, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and valvometry) to show that the proliferation of anaerobic bacter...

Shifting environmental conditions resulting from anthropogenic climate change have recently garnered much attention in the aquaculture industry; however, ocean acidification has received relatively little attention. Here, we provide an overview of ocean acidification in the context of North American aquaculture with respect to potential impacts and mitigation strategies. North American shellfish farms should make ocean acidifi...