The annual reproductive pattern of the Antarctic clam, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laternula elliptica</Emphasis> from Marian Cove,King George Island |
| |
Authors: | Do-Hyung Kang In-Young Ahn Kwang-Sik Choi |
| |
Institution: | (1) Marine Living Resources Research Department, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI), Ansan, P.O. Box 29, Seoul, 425-744, Republic of Korea;(2) Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) of KORDI, Songdo Technopark, 7-50 Songdodong, Yeonsugu, Incheon, 406-840, Republic of Korea;(3) School of Applied Marine Science, Cheju National University, 66 Jejudaehakno, Jeju, 690-756, Republic of Korea |
| |
Abstract: | The annual reproductive cycle of the Antarctic soft-shelled clam, Laternula elliptica, in Marian Cove, King George Island was studied over a 2-year period from February 1998 to January 2000. Annual changes in
the gametogenesis were investigated by measuring the percentage of area occupied by oocytes in a follicle follicle index
(FI)] and the oocyte size. In 1998, the monthly mean FI increased significantly from October to November, peaked in December,
and decreased rapidly from December to January. In February and March 1999, degenerated eggs were observed in the spent follicles.
Degeneration and resorption of residual eggs by phagocytosis occurred mostly in February and March in both 1998 and 1999,
although the resorption process was observed year-round. The histology indicated that complete vitellogenic growth of L. ellpitica at Marian Cove takes at least a year and the clams spawn annually during the austral summer. The ripening and subsequent
spawning of clams at Marian Cove in 1998 and 1999 coincided with the algal blooming (September–October 1998 and December and
January 1999–2000) suggesting that in coastal Antarctica food supply is a crucial factor that governs gonad maturation and
subsequent spawning along with the water temperature. |
| |
Keywords: | Antarctic bivalve Laternula elliptica Reproduction Food availability Follicle index Oocyte growth Egg resorption |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|