Seasonal lipid variation in several tissues of the conch Strombus gigas (Mesogastropoda : Strombidae) in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Strombus gigas samples were collected in Banco Chinchorro, Quintana Roo, Me xico (18 degrees 47'-18 degrees 23' N; 87 degrees 14' W. Shell, body and sp ire lenght were measured. Fat content of gonad, digestive gland and meat of male and female conchs, was analyzed by the standard and microsoxhlet meth ods on a monthly basis for a year. Mean lenght for shell, body and spire we re 209 +/- 1 mm, 137 +/- 1 mm and 100 +/- 1 mm, respectively. Total wet wei gth was 1 826 +/- 7 g. Fat content in gonad-digestive gland was 1.27-9.33 g % with a mean of 4.27 g% and in meat 0.41-5.03 g% with a mean of 2.15 g%. F at content in female gonad-digestive gland was 1.27 g% at 8.57 g% with a me an of 4.50 g%; in male: 1.87 g% at 9.33 g% with a mean of 4.01 g%. Sexes di ffered (t student P < 0.05). Mean fat content in meat was 2.15 g%, (males 1 .97 g%, females 2.3 g%). There was not significant sexual difference for me at fat content. There was a difference between gonad-digestive gland and me at (t student P < 0.05). However, from February to August meat lipid conten t exceeds the percentage recommended for human consumption by the FAO.