The Answer for the April 6 Mystery Is …
April 7, 2020 — If you guessed Oysters, you are correct!
Did you know:
- Oysters are bi-valve mollusks and are filter feeders.
- Oysters have gills which have beating hair-like structures called Cilia, the beating action of cilia pumps water in and out of the shell through valves, not only helps the oyster “breath” but it also brings food to the oyster and carries out the waste through valves.
- Oysters cement themselves to each other in large clumps and are found in areas of rock and shells which forms an oyster reef.
- Oyster reefs provide an effective natural barrier to storm waves and sea level rise.
- A single Oyster can filter 50 gallons of water every day and a healthy one-acre reef around 24 million gallons.
- In captivity they can live up to 20 years
- Once the female is fertilized, she discharges millions of eggs into the water. The larvae remain suspended in the water column as larvae for two to three weeks before settling on a bed. When oyster larvae settle on in their bed, it is called spat.
So, as you can oysters are an important part of a healthy ecosystem. They are also delicious to eat!
For the history of oysters in Connecticut visit the link: Oystering in Connecticut From Colonial Times to Today
Check back next Monday for our next Mystery Monday, I Spy Coastal Connecticut
