The Reproductive Cycles of Monodonta Lineata and Gibbula Umbilicalis on the Coast of Mid-Wales

Abstract

At Aberaeron, Dyfed, mid-Wales, the two trochid species, Monodonta lineata and Gibbula umbilicalis breed during the summer months. M. lineata showed a discrete spawning period in late July in both 1980 and 1983, whilst G. umbilicalis spawned in August in both years, though with gamete release prolonged into September in 1980. In both species gonad development begins in April/May, and by June the characteristic bimodal oocyte diameter distribution of mature females has been established. Vitellogenesis and the development of a jelly coat around the oocyte begin when the oocytes have a diameter of 70–80 μm, with mature oocytes reaching 140–180 μm in diameter, excluding the jelly coat.