Sarah Bodenstein

M.Sc. In Progress

My research explores the potential causes of triploid oyster summer mortality. Many farmers have noticed that triploid oysters are more susceptible than diploid oysters to summer mortality events. My experiment subjects both types of oysters to different stressor trials of desiccation and tumbling, common farming practices. These trials are conducted across three different sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Throughout the summer, triploid oyster mortality and growth is compared to that of diploid. The goal of this research is to inform farmers on the best management practices for growing triploids.