REPRODUCTION OF THE BAY SCALLOP, AEQUIPECTEN IRRADIANS LAMARCK. INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON MATURATION AND SPAWNING

Abstract

Field observations of the subspecies A. i. concentricus from Alligator Harbor, Florida, showed that the peak of spawning occurred in late Aug. after a summer temperature maximum. Scallops were induced to spawn in the laboratory during the colder months after raising and subsequent lowering of the temperature, that corresponded to observed field conditions. A. i. concentricus from Florida matured and spawned at higher temperatures than previously reported for A. i. irradians from Massachusetts and A. i. concentricus from North Carolina.