The gametogenic cycle and spawning of the Short-Necked Clam, Paphia undulata Born, 1778 from Timsah Lake, Suez Canal, Egypt

Abstract

Background The Short-Necked Clam Paphia undulata is a marine edible bivalve consumed all over the world and locally in Egypt. In the past decade, its population declined across the Egyptian fisheries due to overexploitation and pollution. The gametogenic cycle and spawning studies of P. undulata were carried out during the period from January 2020 to December 2020 along Timsah Lake, Suez Canal, Egypt. Results Shell lengths of the collected clams ranged from 2.31 cm to 6.22 cm in males, 2.05 cm to 5.97 cm in females and 3.70 cm to 4.36 cm in hermaphrodite clams. These clams are functionally dioecious wherein male and female sexes are separate, with very low incidences of hermaphroditism. The sex ratio (male: female: hermaphrodite) of the clam population was 1.0: 1.07: 0.04. The onset of sexual maturity of both males and females was 2.3 cm and 2.7 cm respectively. Conclusions Reproductive studies revealed that this species has a prolonged spawning season not restricted during a certain period.

Reproduction patterns of the bloody cockle Senilia senilis (Linnaeus 1758) in the Sine-Saloum inverse estuary

“…The results of the maturation cycle of S. Senilis at both sites showed that spawning takes place throughout the year. This is typical behavior for bivalves in tropical zones (Mahmoud and Yassien, 2022;Manjarrés-Villamil et al, 2013;Narasimham, 1988;Toral-Barza and Gomez, 1985). This is consistent with the results of Le Loeuff and Zabi (1993), who reported the year-round presence of S. senilis larvae in the Lagos lagoon in Nigeria.…”

Artificial Spawning and Gametogenic Development of the Black-Lip Pearl Oyster, Pinctada margaritifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in Mabahiss Bay, the Red Sea

“…The Mahmoud and Yassien (2023). These stages were identified by examining the size and density of different germ cells, which originate from gametogenesis stem cells in the gonad.…”