Story: Shellfish

Oyster spat

In this video clip an oyster releases its spat (sperm) into the water. Nearby female oysters draw in the sperm cells in water currents and fertilisation occurs within her body. There the eggs develop and hatch as tiny larvae, which spend two to four weeks within her mantle cavity before crawling away to settle nearby.

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Shellfish - Dredge oysters', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/8028/oyster-spat (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 12 Jun 2006