PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE SEASONAL GONADAL CHANGES AND SPAWNING IN THE CLAM MERETRIX CASTA (CHEMNITZ) FROM THE MARINE FISH FARM

Abstract

Sexuality and the seasonal gonadal changes in clams have been studied by Loosanoff (1936a, 1936b, 1937a & b), Loosanoff and Davis (1950) and Davis and Chanley (1956). The work of these authors is mainly on the clam Venus mercenaria. Stickney (1952) and Rogers (1959) have studied reproductive cycle and spawning in the soft clam Mya arenaria. Hornell (1922), Rai (1931), Panikkar and Aiyar (1939), Rao (1951) and Abraham (1953) have made some observations on the breeding and spawning of the clams, Meretrix meretrix, Katelysia opima and Meretrix casta from the Indian coast. The present study was undertaken with a view to gaining some knowledge on the sexual cycle and spawning of the edible clam, Meretrix casta, from the fish farm of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute at Mandapam Camp. The topography and the environmental conditions in the fish farm and the adjoining salt water lagoon are given by Tampi (1959 & '60).