Abstract

Oogenesis and the reproductive cycle in female Ruditapes philippinarum were investigated by cytological and histological observations. R. philippinarum is dioecious and oviparous. During vitellogenesis, the Golgi complex, glycogen particles and mitochondria were involved in the formation of lipid droplets and lipid granules in the cytoplasm of the early vitellogenic oocyte. In the late vitellogenic oocyte, cortical granules, the endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria were involved in the formation of proteid yolk granules in the cytoplasm. At this time, exogenous lipid granular substance and glycogen particles in the germinal epithelium passed into the oocyte through the microvilli of the vitelline envelope. The spawning period was once a year between early June and early October, and the main spawning occurred between July and August when seawater temperature was approximately <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX>. The reproductive cycle of this species can be categorized into five successive stages: early active stage (January to March), late active stage (February to May), ripe stage (April to August), partially spawned stage (May to October), and spent/inactive stage (August to February). Percentages of female clams at frst sexual maturity of 15.1-20.0 mm in shell length were 52.6% (50% of the rate of group maturity was 17.83 mm in length), and 100% for the clams > 25.1 mm.