Reproductive cycle of Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby 1842) (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) in the Rada del Puerto de Pichilingue, B.C.S., Mexico and its relation to temperature, salinity, and food

The reproductive cycle of the catarina scallop Argopecten ventricosus and its relation to temperature, salinity, and quantity of food was studied in the Rada del Puerto de Pichilingue, B.C.S. Mexico, from April 1995 to March 1996. Organisms were obtained from a hatchery and grown on the bottom. Ripe organisms occurred throughout the year showing the lack of seasonality in its reproduction. No consistent relation between reproductive cycle and environmental factors or food was evident. The muscle yield index showed a significant positive correlation with temperature, but it had no correlation with gonadosomatic index. The relation between the muscle yield index and seston with the reproductive cycle suggested the transference of energy from the muscle to the gonad and directly from the seston ingested. This relation suggested that A. ventricosus is a conservative and opportunistic species depending on the available food. Histochemical analysis revealed the transference of carbohydrates from the intestinal loop to the gonad and therefore to the oocytes.