Seasonal variation in weight and biochemical composition of the tissues of Ruditapes decussatus in relation to the gametogenic cycle

Seasonal variations in the body weight and biochemical composition of the bivalve Ruditapes decussatus were studied over a period of 15 months. Separate analyses were made of foot, mantle edge, siphons, gills, adductor muscle and gonad-visceral mass. Variations in weight, body growth, gonad growth and spawning depended on environmental conditions, especially food availability. The gametogenic cycle comprised two phases: a resting phase...