Author(s): Afnan Freije and Hashim Al-Sayed
Article publication date: 2009-12-01
Vol. 27 No. 4 (yearly), pp. 204-215.
238
Keywords
Gametogenesis, glycogen, lipid, snail, spawning, Turbo coronatus.
Abstract
This study examines the turban shell Turbo coronatus strategies for storing lipids and
glycogen for reproductive investment. The monthly variations of total lipids and glycogen contents
were studied over a period of 12 months from March 2003 to February 2004. Samples of 40-50
individuals were handpicked from the surface of the intertidal rocks at Shaikh Ebrahim Island
every month. Two spawning events occurred during the year, the first one in April-May, while the
second peak took place from July to November. The onset of male spawning was earlier than the
onset of female spawning by an average of 4 weeks. Spawning was associated with a decrease in
total lipids content, whereas gametogenesis was associated with an increase in total lipids content.
The highest concentration of total lipids content was recorded during June and July for males
and females respectively. Glycogen contents fluctuated throughout the period of this study with a
significant increase (p< 0.05) in May for both sexes. In contrast to lipids, glycogen concentrations
were very low, and did not contribute to the gametogenetic effort. Our results suggest that energy
for reproduction is primarily derived from stored lipids.