Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela

The mytilid Geukensia demissa invaded Lake Maracaibo and since it is a new species at this location, little is known about its reproductive biology. We describe the reproductive cycle of this bivalve mollusk on a beach (Nazaret) located along the straight that leads into Lake Maracaibo. During 12 m...

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Main Authors: María Báez, Yajaira García-de Severeyn, Héctor Severeyn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Autónoma de Baja California 2005-03-01
Series:Ciencias Marinas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/73
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author María Báez
Yajaira García-de Severeyn
Héctor Severeyn
author_facet María Báez
Yajaira García-de Severeyn
Héctor Severeyn
author_sort María Báez
collection DOAJ
description The mytilid Geukensia demissa invaded Lake Maracaibo and since it is a new species at this location, little is known about its reproductive biology. We describe the reproductive cycle of this bivalve mollusk on a beach (Nazaret) located along the straight that leads into Lake Maracaibo. During 12 months (January to December), 80 specimens were collected monthly from this beach. The animals were dissected and samples of their gonadal fluid were microscopically examined to detect gametes. The different stages of gonadal development are described according to Shafee, (1989). The gonad index was calculated by the equation IG = Σ(n × V)/N. Results indicated that G. demissa presents a continuous reproductive cycle, with mature, spawning animals occurring throughout the year. Two gametogenic processes occurred, one beginning during the dry season and extending until the onset of the rainy season, and another beginning during the rainy season and extending until late November, when the animals are once again mature. Two spawning peaks were observed, one in July and the other in December; 100% spawning in the population was not observed. Synchrony was found in spawning and maturation in both male and female mussels.
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spelling doaj.art-3b6e386c3f3e4245b7ed1263e159b7572024-03-03T18:34:29ZengUniversidad Autónoma de Baja CaliforniaCiencias Marinas0185-38802395-90532005-03-01311A10.7773/cm.v31i11.73Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, VenezuelaMaría Báez0Yajaira García-de Severeyn1Héctor Severeyn2Universidad del ZuliaUniversidad del ZuliaUniversidad del Zulia The mytilid Geukensia demissa invaded Lake Maracaibo and since it is a new species at this location, little is known about its reproductive biology. We describe the reproductive cycle of this bivalve mollusk on a beach (Nazaret) located along the straight that leads into Lake Maracaibo. During 12 months (January to December), 80 specimens were collected monthly from this beach. The animals were dissected and samples of their gonadal fluid were microscopically examined to detect gametes. The different stages of gonadal development are described according to Shafee, (1989). The gonad index was calculated by the equation IG = Σ(n × V)/N. Results indicated that G. demissa presents a continuous reproductive cycle, with mature, spawning animals occurring throughout the year. Two gametogenic processes occurred, one beginning during the dry season and extending until the onset of the rainy season, and another beginning during the rainy season and extending until late November, when the animals are once again mature. Two spawning peaks were observed, one in July and the other in December; 100% spawning in the population was not observed. Synchrony was found in spawning and maturation in both male and female mussels. https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/73Geukensia demissamusselreproductive cycleVenezuela
spellingShingle María Báez
Yajaira García-de Severeyn
Héctor Severeyn
Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela
Ciencias Marinas
Geukensia demissa
mussel
reproductive cycle
Venezuela
title Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela
title_full Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela
title_fullStr Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela
title_full_unstemmed Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela
title_short Reproductive cycle of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) on a beach at Nazaret, El Moján, Zulia State, Venezuela
title_sort reproductive cycle of geukensia demissa bivalvia mytilidae on a beach at nazaret el mojan zulia state venezuela
topic Geukensia demissa
mussel
reproductive cycle
Venezuela
url https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/73
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AT yajairagarciadesevereyn reproductivecycleofgeukensiademissabivalviamytilidaeonabeachatnazaretelmojanzuliastatevenezuela
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