Skip to main content
Log in

The reproductive cycle of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck), in a small coastal embayment on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

  • Published:
Estuaries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The spawning activity of the bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck) was monitored from May through September in a small embayment on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and compared with changes in hydrographic conditions. Spawning activity of bay scallops began in May and continued through July with some minor activity occurring during August and September. Activity was most closely related to changes in ambient temperature and occurred predominantly before the summer maximum temperature was recorded. As temperatures declined in the late summer and early fall, increased gametogenic activity was evident. A longer period of spawning activity was observed than was previously reported for New England waters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Belding, D. L. 1910. A report upon the bay scallop fishery of Massachusetts, including the habits, and life history of Pecten irradians, its rate of growth, and other factors of economic value. Mass. Comm. Fish and Game, Mar. Fish. Ser., Spec. Rept. No. 3, 150 p.

  • Belding, D. L. 1931. The scallop fisheries of Massachusetts. Comm. Mass., Dept. Conserv., Div. Fish and Game, Mar. Fish. Ser., No. 2.

  • Brousseau, D. J. 1978. Spawning cycle, fecundity, and recruitment in a population of soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria from Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Fish. Bull. 76:155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, A. H. 1965. The scallop superspecies Aequipecten irradians (Lamarck). Malacologia 2:161–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coe, W. R., and H. J. Turner. 1938. Development of the gonads and gametes of the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). J. Morph. 62(1):91–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutsell, J. S. 1930. Natural history of the bay scallop. U.S. Bur. Fish. Bull. 46:569–632.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humason, G. L. 1962. Animal Tissue Techniques. W. H. Freeman and Co. 561 p.

  • Marshall, N. 1960. Studies of the Niantic River, Connecticut, with special reference to the bay scallop, Aequipecten irradians. Limnol. Oceanogr. 5:86–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merrill, A. S., and J. B. Burch. 1960. Hermaphroditism in the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin). Biol. Bull. 119:197–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quayle, D. B. 1952. Sex, gonad development, and seasonal gonad changes in Paphia staminea (Conrad). J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 62:140–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robert, G. 1978. Biological assessment of the bay scallop (Aequipecten irradians) for maritime waters. Fish. and Mar. Sci. Tech. Rept. No. 778, Dept. Fisheries and Environment, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada, 14 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ropes, J. W., and A. P. Stickney. 1965. Reproductive cycle of Mya arenaria in New England. Biol. Bull. 128:315–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sastry, A. N. 1963. Reproduction of the bay scallop, Aequipecten irradians (Lamarck). Influence of temperature on maturation and spawning. Biol. Bull. 125:146–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sastry, A. N. 1966. Temperature effects on reproduction of the bay scallop, Aequipecten irradians (Lamarck). Biol. Bull. 130:118–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sastry, A. N. 1968. The relationships among food, temperature, and gonad development of the bay scallop Aequipecten irradians (Lamarck). Physiol. Zool. 41:44–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, W. N. 1964. Seasonal gonadal changes in the female soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, in the Tred Avon River, Maryland. Proc. Nat'l. Shellfish. Assoc. 53:121–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Dept. of Commerce, N.O.A.A. 1979. Fisheries of the United States. Current Fisheries Statistics. No. 7800.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Contribution No. 4946.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Taylor, R.E., Capuzzo, J.M. The reproductive cycle of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck), in a small coastal embayment on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Estuaries 6, 431–435 (1983). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351403

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351403

Keywords

Navigation