Reproductive cycle and size at sexual maturity of the commercial whelk Buccinum isaotakii in Funka Bay, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

The reproductive cycle and size at sexual maturity of the commercial whelk Buccinum isaotakii in Funka Bay, southern Hokkaido, Japan, was examined using monthly samples of individuals collected from May 1999 until October 2000. Female and male sexual maturity was determined based on reproductive organ sizes and histological examination, and sex ratios did not differ from parity. There were parallel annual cycles in the size of the ovary and pallial oviduct, and an inverse cycle for the digestive gland. The testis and seminal vesicle showed inverse cycles. The peak in seminal vesicle size was at the same time as the peak in ovary and pallial oviduct. The size of the male digestive gland exhibited no evident cycle. Males were mature from May to October 1999 and from April to October 2000, and spent individuals first appeared in September 1999 and then decreased in numbers until June 2000. Sperm content and epithelium in seminal vesicle indicated that the copulating period started in March and lasted until August 2000. Ovarian maturation and oogenesis occurred from October 1999 onwards and peaked in January 2000, with egg laying occurring from May until September. An increase in temperature coincided with the advancement of spermatogenesis and the egg laying while the transfer of the sperm from the testis to the seminal vesicle in males and the maturation of ovaries in females coincided with a decrease in temperature.