[Growth and sex maturation of a population of Saccostrea palmula (Mollusca: Bivalvia), Costa Rica].
Growth and sexual maturity in Saccostrea palmula were studied between May 1998 and May 1999, in Morales estuary, Punta Morales, Puntarenas, Costa Rica (n = 540 individuals according to sample size equation). The weight-length relationship for the population was Pt = 2.13 x 10(-2) Lt1.6602 and von Bertalanffy growth function was Lt = 68.2 (l- e -0.1577 t). The mean sex ratio was 1.00 male: 0.92 females with sexually mature individuals found throughout the year. Spawning activity was highest between November and January. The mean condition index (IC = PCF/PV x 100) for the population was 121.53 +/- 2.24 and the mean meat yield was 10.32 +/- 1.64%.
Laboratorio de Recursos Naturales y Vida Silvestre (LARNAVISI), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 86-3000, Costa Rica. jcabrer@samara.una.ac.cr
J H
JH
Cabrera Peña
M
M
Protti Quesada
M
M
Urriola Hernández
O
O
Sáenz Vargas
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D003364:Costa Rica; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*