R/ODR-08

Description:

Since 1962 the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory has been selectively breeding eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) for resistance to the parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni that causes MSX-disease. MSX-disease resistance was obtained relatively (over several generations) and pedigreed lines are still maintained. Since 1992 synthetic lines developed from controlled matings of these same pedigreed lines, were begun in response to Dermo disease pressure. With the collaboration of four mid-Atlantic institutions, the objective of this project is to institute a regional selective breeding program for developing oyster stocks resistant to MSX and Dermo disease. The overall goal of the CROSBreed Project is to complete two additional generations of selection using common breeding criteria across three mid-Atlantic sites demonstrate the general utility of the resistant lines across environments and ultimately, make strains of oysters available to the industry or repletion programs as needed.