Reproductive cycle and embryonic development of the gastropod Melampus coffeus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ellobiidae) in the Brazilian Northeast/Ciclo reprodutivo e desenvolvimento embrionário do gastrópode Melampus coffeus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ellobiidae) no Nordeste do Brasil

Melampus coffeus belongs to a primitive group of pulmonate mollusks found mainly in the upper levels of the marine intertidal zone. They are common in the neotropical mangroves. Little is known about the biology of this species, particularly about its reproduction. The characterization of the gonad...

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Published inBrazilian journal of biology Vol. 72; no. 4; p. 935
Main Authors Maia, R C, Rocha-Barreira, C A, Coutinho, R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published São Carlos Instituto Internacional de Ecologia 01.11.2012
Subjects
Ecosystems
Eggs
Ellobiidae
Gastropoda
Marine
Melampus coffeus
Mollusca
Mollusks
Rain
Salinity
Temperature
Water shortages
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Summary:Melampus coffeus belongs to a primitive group of pulmonate mollusks found mainly in the upper levels of the marine intertidal zone. They are common in the neotropical mangroves. Little is known about the biology of this species, particularly about its reproduction. The characterization of the gonad development stages was carried out using routine histological techniques. The results of this study show that Melampus coffeus is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. The follicles have masculine and feminine elements, interleaved within the gonad. M. coffeus presents a well-defined synchronous reproductive cycle, showing successive maturation, release and resting periods. The average diameter of the oocytes was negatively correlated with salinity and positively correlated with rainfall. The results show that no reproductive activity occurs during periods of drought. After the dry season, the increasing rainfall levels and reduced salinity lead to the appearance of very dense populations, predominantly composed of small individuals.
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ISSN:1519-6984
1678-4375