REPRODUCTIVE STUDY OF MEGAPITARIA AURANTIACA (SOWERBY, 1831) (BIVALVIA: VENERIDAE) IN PUERTO LIBERTAD, SONORA, MEXICO

摘要

Reproductive aspects of the golden clam Megapitaria aurantiaca in Puerto Libertad, Sonora, Mexico, were analyzed from March 2015 to March 2016. Through histological analysis, five phases of gonadal development were defined (cytolytic, proactive, active, emission, and postactive), the sexual portion was obtained, the relationship between environmental variables (temperature and chlorophyll a) and reproduction was determined through the gonadal index, and the diameter of the oocytes was measured. A seasonal reproductive cycle was exhibited by M. aurantiaca with a spawning phase from April to October which coincided with an increase in the temperature. Spawning clams were observed at a shell length of 69 mm. A sex ratio of 1:1 was recorded. Finally, for the first time, the presence of hermaphroditic organisms was reported for this species.