Abstract
Lithophaga lithophaga is one of the commonest bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea and is present in almost every subtidal calcareous rock. Its reproductive cycle is known only from laboratory studies. Herein, we present data on the species reproductive activities based on localised but mass synchronized spawning events. The species reproduces at the end of the northern hemisphere summer and the majority of significant spawning events occur during the period between full moon and its last quarter. Calm seas are an important pre-requisite for the development of such co-ordinated mass spawning events. ‘Gamete to gamete’ induction seems to be the most likely proximate cue in synchronising gamete release. Spawning begins with a few individuals but spreads progressively along the coastline. In observed situations, reproductive waves finally affect between 10 and >400 m of coastline from 0 to 10 m depth and last longer than three days. In the reproductive zone, dense gamete clouds reduce visibility to zero over tens of metres along the shallow sea bed. No spawning events of such dimensions have been reported upon before for any bivalve.
Highlights
The European date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Mytiloidea: Lithophaginae) is one of the commonest and most well-known bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic[1]
The conservation importance of L. lithophaga arises from its gastronomic value and the associated environmental problems resulting from its harvesting
As with many marine species, the reproductive cycle of L. lithophaga is known from laboratory analyses of gonadial development
Summary
The European date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Mytiloidea: Lithophaginae) is one of the commonest and most well-known bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic[1] It lives inside subtidal calcareous rocks, which are bored by means of glandular secretions (Fig. 1a)[2,3]. Because the species lives inside rocks, these have to be broken up to expose individuals for collection (Fig. 1b) Such destructive exploitation has affected extensive coastal areas throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas and produced large scale negative impacts on associated benthic communities, which both cover the rock and live inside it[9,10]. In this species is a common reproductive strategy and is triggered by specific environmental factors rather than random isolated events
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