Gonad Development of Blood Cockle: Study Conducted in Prey Nop II Sihanoukville Cambodia

Abstract

A study of the development of blood cockle gonad was conducted from April 2008 to February 2009 at Prey Nop II, Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Every two months during the one-year study period, 20 and 60 samples of blood cockle were collected and analyzed by histological and condition index methods, respectively. Using the microscope for checking and analysis, results indicated that in April 2008 on the average, the gonads of 85% of blood cockle samples were mature while 15% had developed gonads. In June 2008, some have already spawned (60%) while 35% were mature and 5% developed. In August 2008, 60% had mature gonads, 35% spawned and 5% developed. In November of the same year, 95% had developed gonads while only 5% were mature. In December, 60% were mature and 40% developed. Finally in February 2009, 55% were mature, 40% spawned and 5% developed. Consequently, the analysis of the condition indices showed low average in three months, i.e., in June, August and February. It should also be noted that data was not collected in October 2008 because of traveling problems, therefore samples collection was postponed to November 2008. Based on the results of this study, two spawning periods in one year could be established for the blood cockles in Prey Nop II: June to August and February. Therefore, harvesting for blood cockles from this area should be allowed only during April to May and September to January of each year.