First record of Cassis tuberosa spawning in the wild (north-east Brazil)

Abstract

Spawning ofCassis tuberosais recorded and described for the first time, based on observations carried out in the Tamandaré reefs, north-eastern Brazil. The specimen was laying over gravel substrate surrounded by macroalgae at a depth of 2 m.Cassis tuberosauses an algal frond of the genusPadinato lay its eggs. The oothecae consists of approximately 200 vasiform capsules, orange in colour. The spawn ofCassis tuberosais quite similar to that produced by its congener,Cassis madagascariensis; however,Cassis tuberosaspawns in the soft substrate provided by algal fronds whileCassis madagascariensisutilizes coarse, carbonate sand. Considering thatCassis tuberosais the target of multiple commercial purposes, to expand our knowledge about its biology could contribute towards protecting the essential habitat of reproductively active individuals.

What do we know about Cassis tuberosa (Mollusca: Cassidae), a heavily exploited marine gastropod?

“…According to these authors, the spawn of C. tuberosa resembles that of other Cassidae, especially that of its congener, C. madagascariensis. Dias and Mota (2015) also reinforced the importance of macroalgae banks as a spawning substrate and suggest that measures of protection of this species should include this type of habitat to maintain wild populations of C. tuberosa.…”

“…Pequeno andMatthewsCascon 2001; 2011). On the other hand, recently Dias and Mota (2015) first recorded an adult of this species depositing their spawn in the Tamandaré reefs (State of Pernambuco), located in a marine protected area in the northeast of Brazil. The spawn was released on a border of macroalga of the genus Padina at 2 m depth during the day.…”

“…The spawn was released on a border of macroalga of the genus Padina at 2 m depth during the day. According to Dias and Mota (2015), the oothecae was arranged in a single layer consisting of a mass of eggs with approximately 200 vasiform capsules that were orange in color ( Figure 3f). According to these authors, the spawn of C. tuberosa resembles that of other Cassidae, especially that of its congener, C. madagascariensis.…”