Naslov
Reproductive cycle and gonad development of Venus verrucosa L. (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in Kaštela Bay, Adriatic Sea, Croatia

Autori
Popović, Zvjezdana ; Mladineo, Ivona ; Ezgeta-Balić, Daria ; Trumbić, Željka ; Vrgoč, Nedo ; Peharda, Melita

Izvornik
Marine Biology Research (1745-1000) 9 (2013), 3; 274-284

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Venus verrucosa ; histology ; condition index ; oocyte perimeter ; sexual maturity ; reproduction ; Adriatic Sea

Sažetak
In the Mediterranean region, warty venus (Venus verrucosa Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most important bivalves that is harvested for human consumption. In order to sustainably manage natural populations of this species, as well as evaluate its aquaculture potential, it is necessary to understand its reproductive cycle and gonad development. This study was conducted on V. verrucosa specimens collected monthly by SCUBA from the Kaštela Bay, eastern Adriatic Sea, in a period between March 2009 and February 2010. We analyzed sex ratios, gonad developmental stages, perimeter of the oocytes, and length at sexual maturity using standard histological techniques. Sex rations did not significantly deviate from the proportion of 1:1 (χ2=0.228, p=0.632) and hermaphroditic animals were not found. In our study 50% of individuals reached first sexual maturity at 25.8 mm. The reproductive cycle of V. verrucosa showed continuous annual gametogenic activity, without a phase of a resting period. Oocyte perimeter ranged from 8.46 to 836.35 µm, with the means ranging from 163.7±72.4 µm in March to 370.57±95.16 µm in October. Mean monthly gonad index of both sexes was highest in period from June to October. Significant correlation was found between mean gonad indices and temperature. Changes in condition index approximately followed changes in the reproductive cycle, whilst observed decrease of condition index in period from July to November reflected prolongation of the species spawning period. Although reproductive cycle of V. verrucosa was previously studied in other parts of the Mediterranean, this study provides first qualitative data on maturation stages for this species in the eastern Adriatic as well as quantitative data on oocyte perimenter, that was not included in previous investigations.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Biotehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA