Abstract

The gonad index, condition index, reproductive cycle and spawning of the pen shell Atrina (Servatrina) pectinata were investigated using samples from the subtidal zone of Nokdo on the Boryeong coastal waters of Korea. Samples were collected monthly by SCUBA divers for one year from January to December, 2001. A. (Servatrina) pectinata is dioecious and oviparous. The spawning season of this species occurred once a year from June to August, with the main spawning occurring between June and July when the seawater temperature was around <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX>. Ripe oocytes were about 60-65 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX> in diameter. The reproductive cycle of this species could be classified into five successive stages; early active stage (November to March), late active stage (February to May), ripe stage (April to July), partially spawned stage (June to August), and spent/inactive stage (August to October). Monthly changes in the gonad index reached a maximum (4.6) in May (ripe stage), thereafter, the GI values gradually decreased from June to August when spawning occurred continuously. Therefore, monthly changes in the GI values showed a similar pattern to the gonadal phase. The condition index (CI) of the meat part without the posterior adductor muscle reached the maximum in June (ripe and partially spawned stage) and the minimum in September (spent/inactive stage), Accordingly, monthly changes in the condition indice of the meat part without the posterior adductor muscle coincided with the gonadal phases.