Abstract
Changes in gonadal histology were used to determine the reproductive cycles of three trochid gastropods commonly found along the Transkei coast. They were dioecious, the sexes being evenly distributed both in terms of numbers and size. Despite some asynchrony, Monodonta australis had a distinct reproductive cycle with a short inactive period during the winter, gonadal development coincided with increasing sea temperatures and spawning took place from late summer to autumn. Both Oxystele tabularis and O. variegata exhibited asynchronous intermittent spawning throughout the study period. However, intensified spawning activity by O. tabularis was noted between April and September. The reproductive cycles and mechanisms of these trochids are compared with those elsewhere.
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