Abstract
The reproductive cycle of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758, in Homa Lagoon, Izmir Bay, Turkey was examined from August 2008 to July 2009. Gonad samples were analysed histologically in order to determine the sex ratio and gonad development stage. Overall, the sex ratio was recorded as 2.2% female, 42.6% male, 37% hermaphrodite and 17.9% inactive. Glycogen content showed considerable variations between August and February, but decreased gradually thereafter. However, glycogen did not directly affect the reproductive cycle. Total lipid content was positively correlated with temperature and inversely correlated with salinity. In addition, this parameter was influenced by the reproductive activity, which is correlated with the fluctuation of the condition index and gonad index (P < 0.05). However, the relationship between the protein index and the gonad index was negative (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that protein was the major energy resource. The condition index varied between 2.69±0.91 (February) and 12.29±1.45 (April) during the year. With respect to meat yield, oyster quality changed from “fine” to “special”, except in December and February.
Highlights
Oysters are the most common of all bivalves and they have been known as edible and as a delicacy for centuries
Chlorophyll a was variable throughout the year with a concentration ranging from 9.04±5.36 μg L–1 in October to 1.9±1.14 μg L–1 in June
A strong correlation was observed between particulate inorganic matter (PIM) and particulate organic matter (POM) (P
Summary
Oysters are the most common of all bivalves and they have been known as edible and as a delicacy for centuries. Shellfish cultivation is not a common practice in Turkey and only one species (Mytilus gallopravincialis) is farmed. Turkey has an enormous potential for aquaculture development due to its geo-formations, with numerous sheltered bays and estuaries and the occurrence of important economic bivalve species such as the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis (Fischer et al 1987) and the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Doğan et al 2005). Homa Lagoon is a suitable lagoon for oyster aquaculture. It has large areas of salt wetlands, with a fishing area of 1800 ha whose natural population includes important commercial bivalves such as O. edulis, Ruditapes decussatus and Cerastoderma glaucum
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