Reproductive Cycle of Surf Clam, Spisula sachalinensis

In order to obtain the basic information for seedling production of surf clam, Spisula sachalinensis, annual reproductive cycle was investigated from March 1994 to May 1995. S. sachalinensis was dioecious. The gonads are located between the digestive diverticula and muscle tissue of the foot. The condition factor was reached its maximum (0.19) in June, and then decreased to 0.16 in July. In November, the value was the lowest and then increased slowly. The age and minimum size for sexual maturation were 2 years old and about 50 mm in shell length, respectively. However, less than of sexually undifferentiated individuals were larger than 80 mm in shell length. On the other hand, the size of mature oocytes was ranged to in diameter and testis-ova was observed in testis of the mature stage. Annual reproductive cycle could be classified into five successive stages : multiplicative (October to January), growing (February to April), mature (April to June), spawning (June and July) and degenerative and resting (August and September) stages.