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The Southern NaturalistAuthor: The Southern Naturalist Language: en Genres: Natural Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The Oyster: Form & Function with Dr. Earl Melancon (Part 1)
Monday, 13 October, 2025
In this first of a two-part series, hosts Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas dive into the secret life of oysters with Dr. Earl Melancon — one of the most prominent voices in oyster science and Louisiana’s commercial fishing world. A Professor Emeritus at Nicholls State University and current Louisiana Sea Grant Scholar, Earl has spent more than 50 years studying the biology, ecology, and culture of oysters alongside the oystermen who harvest them.Together, they explore the natural history of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica — how these remarkable creatures build their shells, change sex as they grow, filter vast amounts of water, and survive a gauntlet of predators in Louisiana’s estuaries. From microscopic larvae to full-grown reef builders, this episode reveals the biology behind one of the coast’s most iconic species — and a foundation of Louisiana’s ecology and culture.Stay tuned for Part 2, where the conversation turns to the human side of oysters — the people, traditions, and challenges of the industry that depends on them.Follow @SoNatPodcast on Facebook and Instagram!Visit our website at https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at sonatpodcast@gmail.com and we will answer you!Hosts: Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée ThomasProduced by Emma Reid Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright
