Reproductive biology of three oyster species from a lagoon in the southeastern Gulf of California

Abstract

ABSTRACT Oyster fishing in Mexico holds significant importance, but official records show a consistent drop in production. To understand the reproductive behaviour of key oyster species —Crassostrea corteziensis, Saccostrea palmula, and Striostrea prismatica— in a southeastern Gulf of California lagoon (May 2019 to April 2020), this research delved into their reproductive traits. C. corteziensis and S. palmula exhibited five phases of gonadal development, including: undifferentiated/resting, initial gametogenesis, advanced gametogenesis, maturation, and spawning; S. prismatica showed four: undifferentiated/resting, gametogenesis, maturation, and spawning phases. The three oysters displayed hermaphroditism. Spawning peaks varied: C. corteziensis from September to November, S. palmula from May to September, and S. prismatica from August to November. Sex ratio (female:male) of S. prismatica differed from the expected 1:1 proportion. C. corteziensis and S. palmula showed continuous reproduction; S. prismatica displayed a single annual reproductive cycle. Since the obtained peak spawning of C. corteziensis and S. prismatica presented discrepancy with the official protection period and there are no regulatory measures for S. palmula, the information on their reproductive behaviour aids in regulating their extraction for sustainability and conservation in the southeastern Gulf of California. Similar information can be replicated in coastal areas of other latitudes where several oyster species coexist.