Efficiency, condition index and reproductive effort of the green musselPerna viridisin bottom culture in the Gulf of Cariaco, Sucre state,Venezuela

The condition index, yield and reproductive effort of Perna viridis in bottom culture in the Gulf of Cariaco were evaluated. Seeds with antero-posterior length 35.81 ± 1.41 mm SD, were obtained in Guaca, located on the north coast of Sucre state, and later transferred to the Hydrobiological Station of Turpialito where they were planted by triplicate of 30 mussels in Spanish baskets which were fixed to the bottom at a depth of 5 meters. Fortnightly temperature records were obtained of chlorophyll a, salinity, oxygen, and total and organic seston. Monthly evaluations were performed dissecting the tissues (muscle, gonads and other tissues) and determining the length of the shell on its dorsal-ventral axis to estimate growth. The gonad weight exerted a marked influence on condition index, reproductive effort and meat yield, as these indices reached their highest values in the months when there was greater gonad production. The latter was associated to food abundance in the environment. In general, P. viridis presented an excellent physiological condition, reflected in the high production of gonad and somatic tissue. The gonad weight exerted and marked influence on the condition index, yield and reproductive effort reached their maximum values in the months when there was greater gonad production associated with food present in the medium. After 7 months of culture and with a size of about 7 cm, P. viridis showed an excellent physiological condition, reflected in the high production of gonad and somatic tissue.