The annual gametogenic cycle of the rock oyster, Saccostrea cucullata, from the Persian Gulf

• Published in: Zoomorphology 2023-06, Vol.142 (2), p.137-151
• Main Authors: Gonbad, Roghaieh Gheibi, Salamat, Negin, Salari, Mohammad Ali, Sakhaei, Nasrin, Fakhri, Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Anatomy; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Coasts; Developmental Biology; Evolutionary Biology; Females; Gametogenesis; Gonads; Histology; Life Sciences; Marine molluscs; Morphology; Original Paper; Oysters; Reproductive cycle; Rocky environments; Rocky shores; Saccostrea cucullata; Sexual behavior; Spawning; Strophopteryx cucullata; Water temperature
• ISSN: 0720-213X; 1432-234X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00435-023-00597-5

The oyster Saccostrea cucullata (a native oyster of the Persian Gulf) is one of the most valuable edible species that is currently a candidate for cultivation for export. Anyway, there is no detailed information about its reproduction pattern in the Persian Gulf. The present study assessed the annual reproductive cycle of S. cucullata along the rocky coasts of Bushehr, Iran (the north of the Persian Gulf). In this regard, the gametogenesis of S. cucullata was evaluated monthly based on the gonad histology and steroid analysis during January 2021 to April 2022. Water temperature changes had a close relation with the reproductive cycle. Most of the females and males were in inactive or sexually rest stages during November and December (19–20 ℃). Gametogenic activity in male and female S. cucullata started by mid-February (20 ℃). The ripe oysters mainly were observed from May to July and to some extent during August and September when the temperature was more than 30 °C. More than 85% of oysters collected in September and October were partially or completely spawned. In conclusion, S. cucullata spawns more or less throughout the year, although its spawning peak in the Bushehr coasts is from June to August.