title: Reproductive characteristics and strategies of reducing-system bivalves.
abstract: The reproductive biology of Type 3 reducing-system bivalves (those whose pallial cavity is irrigated with water rich in reducing substances) is reviewed, with respect to size-at-maturity, sexuality, reproductive cycle, gamete size, symbiont transmission, and larval development/dispersal strategies. The pattern which emerges from the fragmentary data is that these organisms present reproductive particularities associated with their habitat, and with their degree of reliance on bacterial endosymbionts. A partial exception to this pattern is the genus Bathymodiolus, which also presents fewer trophic adaptations to the reducing environment, suggesting a bivalent adaptive strategy. A more complete understanding of the reproductive biology of Type 3 bivalves requires much more data, which may not be feasible for some aspects in the deep-sea species.
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Place Nicolas Copernic, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Pennec
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Beninger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D004777:Environment; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D019163:Reducing Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012287:Rickettsiaceae / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019163:Reducing Agents