Reproductive strategy of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii (Bivalvia: Mytiloida) in South-western Atlantic Ocean.

TORROGLOSA, M.E.; GIMENEZ, JULIANA

JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2019 vol. 99 p. 155 - 162

0025-3154

 This study consisted in the characterization ofreproductive aspects as oocytes morphology, temporal variation in size andfrequency of oocytes and the reproductive cycle of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii. This species dominates rocky intertidalcoast of Buenos Airesprovince, Argentine and is a prey item of several exploited species, however,due to the introduction of piers and seawalls, asa consequence of anthropogenic activities, the species also inhabits sandy coasts. Musselswere collected from May 2011 to May 2013. Gonad tissue samples wereprocessed according to standard histological procedures. Four gonadaldevelopment stages were described for males and females. According to thesignificant decrease in the frequency of mature oocytes, the spawning eventswere detected between February and May. However, some evacuation events wererecorded in June-July. This study reports the first record of two modalities ofhermaphrodites in this species; individuals with male and female gonad andindividuals with both types of gametes within gonad.