Annual Reproductive Cycle and Size at First Sexual Maturity of the Sun and Moon ScallopAmusium Japonlcum Japonicum(Gmelin, 1791) (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) in the Coastal Waters of Jejudo, Korea

Abstract

Gonadosomatic index (GSI), annual reproductive cycle, monthly changes in oocyte sizefrequency distributions, size at first sexual maturity and sex ratio of the sun and moon scallop, Amusium japonicum japonicum, were investigated. Samples were collected monthly from the subtidal zone of Sogwipo, Jejudo, Korea.Amusium japonicum japonicum is dioecious. The ovary is composed of a number of oogenic follicles, and the testis consists of a number of acini. Monthly variation in the GSI showed a pattern similar to that of the annual reproductive cycle. Ripe oocytes were about 70–90 µ in diameter. The spawning period was from November to January, and the main spawning occurred between December and January when the seawater temperature was relatively low. The annual reproductive cycle of this species can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (April to June), late active stage (June to September), ripe stage (October to November), spawning stage (November to January), and spent / resting stage (February to April). The spawning period occurred once per year.The percentage of first sexual maturity of female and male scallops ranging in length from 85.1 to 90.0 mm was over 50% and 100% for scallops over 90.0 mm length. In the population under study, sexually mature female and male shell lengths (50% of sexual maturity) were 86.96 and 86.59 mm respectively.The sex ratio of individuals over 85.1 mm length was not significantly different from 1:1 (x2 = 0.18, p > 0.05). No hermaphrodites were found.