Growth and reproductive cycle of Donax trunculus L., (Mollusca: Bivalvia) off Faro, southern Portugal

This study aimed to assess the influence of growth and reproductive cycle on the meat yield and proximate composition of the banded murex (Hexaplex trunculus) from the Ria Formosa lagoon (Algarve coast, southern Portugal). Samples of the edible portion (all soft-body tissues) were analysed monthly during one year. The average meat yield was 37.9±4.6%, with females containing more edible content (39.1±4.7%) than males (36.8±4.2%). The proximate composition comprised 70.7±1.4% moisture, 20.1±1.2% protein, 1.6±0.3% fat, 3.0±0.3% ash, and 4.6±1.2% carbohydrate, corresponding to an energetic value of 119.2±7.5 kcal/100 g wet weight. The meat yield was influenced by specimen size, increasing significantly during growth. Both meat yield and proximate composition presented seasonal fluctuations related to the reproductive cycle, which coincided mainly with the periods of maturation and spawning of this species in the Ria Formosa. Finally, H. trunculus meat yield and proximate composition were compared with similar information available for other marine gastropods.

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REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE CARPET SHELL CLAM; DONAX TRUNCULUS LINNAEUS, 1758, FROM NEW DAMIETTA SHORE, EGYPT

Egyptian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.12816/0049659 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 69 (69) ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

E. Kandeel ◽

S. Mohammad ◽

A. El-Ghitany ◽

A. El-Ghobashy

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Cycle ◽

Donax Trunculus

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Bioactivity of Mentha cervina (Hortelã da Ribeira) from Southern Portugal

Planta Medica ◽

10.1055/s-0028-1084253 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 74 (09) ◽

Author(s):

SC Gouveia ◽

PC Castilho ◽

O Póvoa ◽

TS Weinhold

Keyword(s):

Southern Portugal

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Core body temperature is not a valid parameter to follow the reproductive cycle in female marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes ◽

10.1055/s-0033-1359442 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 121 (10) ◽

Author(s):

K Hoffmann ◽

J König ◽

K Eildermann ◽

E Fuchs ◽

R Behr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Temperature ◽

Reproductive Cycle ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Callithrix Jacchus ◽

Marmoset Monkey ◽

Core Body

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Elevated nest predation risk promotes offspring size variation in birds with prolonged parental care.

10.32942/osf.io/h2mpw ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Gretchen F. Wagner ◽

Emeline Mourocq ◽

Michael Griesser

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Reproductive Cycle ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Nest Predation ◽

Bird Species ◽

Size Variation ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Offspring Size ◽

Natural Predation ◽

Risk Spreading

Predation of offspring is the main cause of reproductive failure in many species, and the mere fear of offspring predation shapes reproductive strategies. Yet, natural predation risk is ubiquitously variable and can be unpredictable. Consequently, the perceived prospect of predation early in a reproductive cycle may not reflect the actual risk to ensuing offspring. An increased variance in investment across offspring has been linked to breeding in unpredictable environments in several taxa, but has so far been overlooked as a maternal response to temporal variation in predation risk. Here, we experimentally increased the perceived risk of nest predation prior to egg-laying in seven bird species. Species with prolonged parent-offspring associations increased their intra-brood variation in egg, and subsequently offspring, size. High risk to offspring early in a reproductive cycle can favour a risk-spreading strategy particularly in species with the greatest opportunity to even out offspring quality after fledging.

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