Reproductive biology of Ruditapes. Decussatus (Linnaeus,1758) in Çardak Lagoon, Dardanelles Strait

Abstract This study was carried out in order to determine the reproductive period of the carpet clam (Ruditapes decussatus L. 1758). 43.32 % of the examined clams were the females, and 34.38 % were the males and the sex ratio was 1:1,23. Microscopical investigations indicated that the early spawners appeared in March-April. The gonad development started in March and spawning took place between July and October. Histological examinations revealed that gonad development started in March and terminated in October. The period between November and March was the resting stage of clam. The number of ripened individuals made a pike in June. Condition Index results were almost parallel with those of histological examinations. Determinations of temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a revealed that Ruditapes decussatus spawned at 24 C temperature and a salinity value between 2-2,6 %.