[The modalities of the sexual cycle of Octopus vulgaris in the southern Moroccan Atlantic (Tantan, Boujdour)].
The reproduction of Octopus vulgaris between Tan Tan and Boujdour is studied. The samples used are sorted monthly from commercial catches of coastal trawlers operating in this area from December 2001 to May 2003. The study shows that sexual maturity is in advance for males than for females. Two spawning periods are made out by the follow-up of the RGS: a spring period from March to July, and an autumnal period, which is less intense, between September and October. The division of spermatogonia and spermatocytes reaches its maximal intensity in July and December, whereas the spermiogenesis is active until the time of mating. The vitellogenesis starts in mid-December and extends until the following spawning period. This reveals a later gonadic development for females than for males; approximately seven months for females and three months for males.
Idrissi
Farah Hounaida
FH
Laboratoire d'océanologie, hydrobiologie et parasitologie, faculté des sciences de Kenitra, BP 133, 14000 Kenitra, Maroc. idrissi_farah@yahoo.fr
Koueta
Noussithé
N
Idhalla
Mohamed
M
Belghyti
Driss
D
Bencherifi
Salah
S
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco; D049831:Octopodiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013079:Sperm Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D014818:Vitellogenesis