Reproductive condition of black ark clam species (Anadara tuberculosa and Anadara similis) in Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56124/yaku.v9i17.001Keywords:
Anadara tuberculosa, Anadara similis, Reproductive condition, Spawning, Reproductive pulsesAbstract
The black cockle species Anadara tuberculosa and Anadara similis constitute one of the most important benthic resources associated with the mangrove ecosystem in Ecuador, supporting an artisanal fishery of significant social and economic relevance for coastal communities. The objective of this study was to determine the reproductive aspects of both species from commercial catches through macroscopic analysis of their gonads, using biological information recorded from 29,723 individuals collected between 2000 and 2024 in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Guayas, and El Oro. The reproductive condition was classified based on the design of a macroscopic sexual maturity scale composed of six sexual maturity stages: "Virginal," "Indeterminate," "Developing," "Mature," "Spawning," and "Early Development." The results showed continuous reproductive activity throughout the year for both species, characterized by the simultaneous presence of individuals in different gonadal stages. In A. tuberculosa, two reproductive periods were identified from January to March and from October to December, whereas in A. similis, reproductive pulses were concentrated between January and March and, with lesser intensity, between November and December. In both species, the "Developing" stage predominated, with frequencies exceeding 40% for much of the year, indicating continuous and asynchronous gametogenesis. The presence of spawning individuals during almost all months confirms a continuous reproductive pattern typical of tropical bivalves, likely regulated by environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and food availability. These results provide relevant information for the implementation of fisheries management measures, including reproductive closed seasons and conservation strategies aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the black cockle resource in Ecuador.
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