Annual reproductive cycle of the bivalve Venerupis decussata during the period from September 2009 to August 2010 was reported. The specimens (≈ 100 specimen) were collected monthly- at the time of full moon as much as possible- from the northern Mediterranean Sea coast of Port Said (31° 15̀ N, 32° 30̀ E), Egypt. The different stages of reproduction of the specimens were investigated. The results revealed that the sexes are separate and the annual reproductive cycle has five stages; early active stage, late active stage, maturation stage, partially spawned stage and spent stage.
شريف رمضان عبدالغنى الرفاعى | Sherif Ramadan AbdElGhhany Elrefaey | 3045