Reproductive Cycle of Hexaplex princeps (Broderip, 1833)

Abstract

During two annual periods, the reproductive cycle of the gastropod Hexaplex princeps from Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca, Mexico was studied through gonadal histology. Sex proportion for the collected individuals was not statistically different from parity although most of the time, the number of males was slightly larger than that of females, which only outnumbered males during the spawning season. The maturity stages established for females were: (1) initial oogenesis, (2) previtellogenic maturity, (3) vitellogenic maturity, (4) maturity, (5) spawning, and (6) resting; and for males: (1) initial spermatogenesis, (2) maturity, (3) spawning, (4) onset of the rest, and (5) resting. Monthly variations of maturation stages showed that H. princeps has an annual reproductive cycle with a long period of gonadal activity. The spawning season comprised from November (females) and December (males) to March, with activity peaks in January. From March to October (females) and from May to June (males), reproduction resting occurred. Spawning was related to high chlorophyll concentrations due to the upwelling processes resulting from the winds and to the cooler sea surface temperatures occurring from November to March. This study provides baseline information that may serve to establish measures for sustainable exploitation strategies and for future aquaculture implementation of this species.