Variation of the condition, muscle yield and mantle indices in Atrina maura (Sowerby, 1835) (Bivalvia: Pinnidae) in the Ensenada de la Paz, B.C.S, Mexico

Abstract

During 2007, the seasonal variations in the condition (CI), muscle yield (MYI) and mantle indices (MI) in Atrina maura were analyzed at Ensenada de La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico. A total of 264 specimens measuring between 11 and 29 cm was collected. Both CI and MYI were found to increase during the winter, spring and summer, in parallel with gonad development, and then decreased significantly during the autumn, when a considerable proportion of spawning organisms were found along with the highest water temperatures. MI showed no significant seasonal differences (P > 0.05). From these findings, it is suggested that this resource may be exploited during spring and summer.