A big shout out to Dr. Guillaume Brie D'Hier (postdoc at UQAR) for leading these efforts, and the folks at Mallet Oysters for logistical support in running these experiments! A fantastic collaborative effort.

We think this probably reflects a physiological trade-off: conserving energy reserves (limited in seed) until feeding resumes at the end of dormancy, rather than expending energy to regulate membrane fluidity.

Overall, these findings indicate that while both adult and juvenile oysters enter dormancy during winter months, the physiological mechanisms facilitating this dormant state are very different between adults and juveniles.

Our results provide evidence that, like adults, juvenile oysters do indeed enter a state of dormancy during the winter months. However, unlike adults, juveniles ceased this regulation and instead mobilized glycogen reserves throughout the winter months until the end of dormancy.

We conducted a series of laboratory experiments to reveal the overwintering physiology of juvenile eastern oysters at their northern distribution limit in eastern Canada.

While the winter physiology of adult oysters is well studied, it is unknown if smaller juvenile (seed) oysters also enter a dormant phase during the winter. Furthermore, if seed do use dormancy as an overwintering strategy, it is unclear if they use the same physiological strategy as adult oysters.

For example, to survive winter conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in eastern Canada, adult eastern oysters adjust their cell membrane fluidity by altering the fatty acid composition of their lipid membranes and enter a period of dormancy during winter months.

This is the first time in a long time that I've been away more days than I'm home in a month, and it really has me missing Jenna and the girls.

The older I get, the more of a homebody I become, and I can't wait for an extended vacation over the holidays.

A big thanks to Shawn Robinson for assembling the team and leading this.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

This scientific obituary, published today in the Journal of Applied Phycology, collates a series of personal tales highlighting some of Thierry's relationships from across the world. We hope it gives a sense of the type of person & scientist Thierry was, & the lasting legacy he's left.

Thierry was a brilliant scientist of international acclaim, particularly known for pioneering the modern concept of "Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture" (IMTA).

After his sudden passing in July 2024, it only seemed fitting that we solidify his legacy in the scientific record.

In 2016, these conversations led to a collaborative paper exploring the potential impacts and mitigation strategies for ocean acidification in the context of marine aquaculture—my most cited paper to date. Over the years, a professional relationship transitioned to a friendship.

You can also read the full paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Hard not to be a fan of this stuff!!! Unbelievable!

THIRD PITCH OF THE GAME?? WHAT???