Oysters build reefs with optimal geometries

Nature News · Feb 18, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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RESEARCH BRIEFINGS 18 February 2026 Some species, including oysters, shape their habitat. However, the relationship between the 3D properties of their habitat and demographic processes is unclear. Experiments with systematically varying habitat units shed light on how specific combinations of geometric attributes influence oyster establishment and survival under predation. This is a summary of: Esquivel-Muelbert, J. R. et al. The natural architecture of oyster reefs maximizes recruit survival. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10103-8 (2026). Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Additional access options: Log in Learn about institutional subscriptions Read our FAQs Contact customer support doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00482-3Figure 1 is published under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence. ReferencesHastings, A. et al. Ecol. Lett. 10, 153–164 (2007).Article PubMed Google Scholar Boogert, N. J., Paterson, D. M. & Laland, K. N. Bioscience 56, 570–578 (2006).Article Google Scholar Temmink, R. et al. J. Appl. Ecol. 58, 2158–2170 (2021).Article Google Scholar Torres-Pulliza, D. et al. Nature Ecol. Evol. 4, 1495–1501 (2020).Article PubMed Google Scholar Esquivel-Muelbert, J. R. et al. J. Appl. Ecol. 59, 953–964 (2022).Article Google Scholar Download references Related Articles Read the paper: The natural architecture of oyster reefs maximizes recruit survival Shallow-reef species around Australia are declining with warming seas Underwater kelp forests are losing a turf war Subjects Latest on: Ecology Animal behaviour The natural architecture of oyster reefs maximizes recruit survival Article 18 FEB 26 Oxygen metabolism in descendants of the archaeal-eukaryotic ancestor Article 18 FEB 26 Fossil isotope evidence for trophic simplification on modern Caribbean reefs Article 11 FEB 26 This bonobo had a pretend tea party — showing make believe isn’t just for humans News 05 FEB 26 Street-dog policy in India is barking up the wrong tree Correspondence 27 JAN 26 Volcanic personality: the man who recognized volcanoes as a planet-shaping force of nature News & Views 27 JAN 26