Research Article

Spawning and early development of the West Indian top shell, Cittarium pica (Linnaeus, 1758), under ex-situ conditions

Laboratorio de Moluscos y Microalgas, Universidad del Magdalena, Carrera 2 No 18-27, Taganga, Santa Marta, Colombia

^* Corresponding author: molmarcol@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Pauline Kamermans

Received: 15 March 2017
Accepted: 23 May 2017

Abstract

The West Indian top shell, Cittarium pica, is an endangered vetigastropod from the rocky intertidal Caribbean. In order to provide a basis for its hatchery-production as a conservation tool, spawning and early development were evaluated under ex-situ conditions. Spawning response was monitored during different lunar phases with application of physical and chemical stimuli – such as changes in temperature salinity and desiccation, exposure to UV irradiated water and chemical stimulation with Tris and hydrogen peroxide. Spawning response was obtained in association with daytime, new moon, flooding and high tides. Use of physical and chemical stimuli did not elicit any spawning response. Adults conditioned in the hatchery for one year did not spawn. Spawning of males and females was simultaneous and frequently intermittent. On average, percentage and size of spawn was higher for males than females. Fecundity was positively correlated with total female wet weight, with an average value of 149 000 oocytes per female. Embryonic and larval development was reported in detail. Results suggest that there is a high potential to use the controlled ex-situ reproduction of C. pica as a conservation tool, since gamete and larvae were repeatedly obtained from wild adults collected days before new moon following a circadian endogenous pattern applying simple protocols of spawning, fertilization and incubation.