Synchronous Reproduction in Mussel (Mytilus Galloprovincialis) Population from Atlantic Ocean of Morocco

Abstract

We investigated the gametogenesis of a natural population of Mytilusgalloprovincialis in the Atlantic central zone (Cape Beddouza). We found that the cycle of reproduction was characterized by a synchronous gametogenesis. From March 2009 to March 2011, we histologically analyzed the status of gonad development and the reserves cells at the peak of spawning. To determine the status of gonad development, we used three biological indecies parameters: the gonadic index, the condition index and the ADG index. The gonadic index was the highest in winter. The condition index was the lowest in spring. The ADG index was the highest in autumn. We found synchrony of these indices in majority of sampled M. galloprovincialis. The found synchrony was unique in the populations other waters in Moroccan coast, where gonad development cycle was individually different. The synchrony of reproductive cycle in the population maybe a result of the consistent seasonal pattern of environmental variable along the cape.