Reproduction, growth and production of Amiantis umbonella (Bivalvia: Veneridae) on northern coast of the Persian Gulf, Bandar Abbas, Iran

Abstract

Amiantis umbonella is distributed throughout the coast of the northern Persian Gulf. This study of 893 clams provides data on reproduction, growth and production for the period April 2007 to March 2008 from two transects along the Bandar Abbas coast. Histological preparations showed six stages of gametogenic development: resting stage (Stage 0), early active (Stage I), late active (Stage II), ripe (Stage III), partially spawned (Stage IV) and spent (Stage V). The specimens were gonochoric and showed synchronized spawning. The reproductive cycle commenced in September and finished in March with one major spawning event in January which correlated with lower sea temperature. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for the sample were asymptotic length (L∞) = 58–62 mm, growth constant (k) = 0.28–0.29 yr−1 and length zero (t0) = –0.48 –0.47. The mean annual clam abundance, mean biomass and production were 10 individuals. m−2, 5.7 g shell free dry weight (SFDW) m−2 and 0.495 g SFDW m−2 yr−1, respectively.