Reproduction and nutritional values of the edible limpet Nacella magellanica (Gastropoda: Patellogastropoda)

NIETO VILELA, R. A.; CUMPLIDO, M.; GONZÁLEZ GIORGIS, Y.; GIL, M.; BIGATTI, G.

SCIENTIA MARINA

INST CIENCIAS MAR BARCELONA

Lugar: Barcelona; Año: 2019

0214-8358

Nacella magellanica is an edible limpet consumed since pre-hispanic times by human populations along the coasts of Patagonia, but studies about its nutritional value and reproduction are not available yet. We investigated the reproductive cycle and the seasonal variation in the nutritional composition (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) of the whole body of this limpet, in order to analyze some aspects of its importance as a formal fishery resource. Throughout a single year, the spawning period extended along all the months in males except in June, while females spawned from late winter to spring with an increase since August to November. The nutritional data obtained for N. magellanica are within the ranges of widely consumed species of mollusks, with an annual average values of 29.8% proteins, 2.7% lipids, and 1.8% carbohydrates. The best nutritional values for human consumption (highest concentration of proteins, body weight), avoiding the reproductive period, were found during April but taking into account the minimum size of capture. Our results are useful to increase the policies aimed to manage this abundant edible limpet as a formal resource, since it is widely consumed in southern South America.