A review of reproductive patterns of bivalve mollusks from Mexico

The reproductive cycle of (1) Mytella strigata (Hanley, 1843) from two diff erent localities, (2) Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby, 1842) from three loc alities, (3)Anadara tuberculosa (Sowerby, 1833), Chione undatella (Sowerby, 1835) and Argopecten ventricosus from one locality, and (4) Megapitaria au rantiaca (Sowerby, 1831), M. squalida (Sowerby, 1835) and Dosinia ponderosa (Gray, 1838) from another locality are analyzed to determine the variabili ty of reproductive cycles under diverse environmental conditions and the di fference and similarities of species living in the same place. A species ha s different gonad recovery and spawning patterns associated with the micro- environmental conditions of its habitat. Species inhabiting the same locali ty and similar habitats differ in their spawning cycle based on periods of maximum activity. Variations of one species among localities can be associa ted to environmental unstability or variations in critical parameters with a tendency to optimize reproduction through one of several alternatives: fa st gametogenesis with accumulation of mature gametes, slow constant gametog enesis with limited or no accumulation of mature gametes, constant asynchro nic spawning, and synchronic spawning from limited to extended periods of t ime.