Further observations on the reproductive cycle of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.
Renzoni, A.; Giusti, F. (1972). Further observations on the reproductive cycle of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam., in: Battaglia, B. (Ed.) Fifth European Marine Biology Symposium. pp. 295-300 In: Battaglia, B. (Ed.) (1972). Fifth European Marine Biology Symposium. European Marine Biology Symposia, 5. Piccin Editore: Padova. 348 pp., more In: European Marine Biology Symposia., more |
| Abstract | The results of a study of reproductive cycle of M. galloprovincialis Lam in 17 stations of the north Tyrrhenian shores are given. Histological data give ample evidence that all the individuals spawn in the spring and some again in the fall. Comparison with data from previous studies in other Italian regions and other countries are made. In 1960, '61 and '62 Renzoni carried out research on the reproductive cycle of M. galloprovincialis in various stations in the South of Italy, and from histological data and the amount of the larvae in the plankton the following conclusions were drawn: (a) In the area of the Bay of Naples 3 marine stations and one brackish water lake station were studied; mussels spawn during the late winter and the entire spring. In summer, there is no spawning. In the fall a second spawning occurs, however only a small proportion of the animals is involved. (b) In the Bay of Syracuse, specimens from a wall of a seawater canal built 2 years before were examined; the spawning occurs mainly during the late winter and spring, and (at least the year examined) continues for the first weeks of summer; during the rest of summer and in early autumn there is no spawning, but a certain number of individuals have ripe gametes throughout autumn, indicating that here too a partial second spawning occurs. In 1964, '66 and '67 the mussel reproductive cycle in 17 stations of the Tyrrhenian littoral, from the northeastern station were studied. |
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