Abstract

The reproductive cycle of the "Copey" snail Melongena melongena at Cispatá Bay was examined from October 1998 to September 1999. Gonad maturation was studied through macroscopic and microscopic observations on the gonads of females >70 mm (total shell height), showing that individuals were mature throughout the year, but with a period of maximal maturity in March which coincided with the time of maximum recruitment. The mean size at first maturity was 52 mm for males and 65 mm for females. A small number of intersex individuals (4%) (masculinized females, with a normally developed ovary and a rudimentary penis; feminized males with a normally developed testis and gonopore) occurred at intermediate sizes. The proportion of males in the population decreases with the increase in individual size, with only females present at the biggest sampled size-class (mean size of 98.5 mm shell height), suggesting protandric hermaphroditism. If this is proven to be true, artisanal fishing preferring larger animals, could severely interfere in the success of reproduction.