SPAWNING BEHAVIOR AND EGG CAPSULES OF CONCHOLEPASCONCHOLEPAS (MOLLUSCA - GASTROPODA - MURICIDAE)
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1976
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Abstract
Observations on the spawning behavior of the commercially important muricid snail C. concholepas are reported. The sequence of events relating to external transportation, molding and hardening, and attachment of the egg capsules to a substratum were timed and divided into 6 major events. The snails studied in the laboratory spawned between April-Sept. These results and data from the literature reveal an all-year-round spawning activity for the species. The frequency, size and time of spawning were studied over 1 yr. Spawning activity always began at night, suggesting that the species retained its spawning rhythm in the laboratory. There was a direct relationship between snail length and size of capsules spawned. No nutritive eggs were found; the number per capsule varied between 668-14,250 according to capsule size. Hatching time varied between 69-128 days at 13.5-14.5.degree. C.