COMPARATIVE GAMETOGENESIS OF SPISULA-SOLIDISSIMA SOLIDISSIMA AND SPISULA-SOLIDISSIMA SIMILIS CULTURED IN COASTAL GEORGIA

The reproductive cycle of mo subspecies of surfclams, Spisula solidiss ima solidissima and Spisula solidissima similis, cultured under simila r nursery and field conditions were examined. Monthly gonadal examinat ion showed that S. a. similis initiated game togenesis, achieved matur e status, and spawned earlier than S. s. solidissima. S. s. similis sp awned from January to June. while S. s. solidissima spawned in May. S. s. similis exhibited an equal sex ratio; whereas, S. a. solidissima h ad significantly more males than females (1.00 M: 0.32 F). Implication s for aquaculture development of surfclams are discussed.