REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE GASTROPOD STROMBUS LUHUANUS (STROMBIDAE)

Abstract

Strombus luhuanus breeds in the summer from June to August at Snirahama. To copulate, the male follows the trail of the female or approaches the stationary female mounted on by another male. The female lays an egg mass either alone or being mounted by the male(s). Copulation and spawning occur mainly at the sand-pebble areas both in the shallow waters, where the conch appears only in the breeding season, and in the deep (<20m) waters. Factors affecting upon selection of spawning sites are discussed.