Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relative growth and reproductive cycle in two populations of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from northern Tunisia (Bizerta Lagoon and small Gulf of Tunis)

  • Full Paper
  • Section Zoology
  • Published:
Biologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A study on the relative growth and reproductive cycle of the purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris) was performed from March 2007 to February 2008 in two populations with contrasting imposex levels (Carthage Byrsa — CB in the small Gulf of Tunis and Menzel Abderrahmane — MA in the Bizerta Lagoon). Both populations presented balanced sex ratios. Comparison of allometric relationships established between linear and ponderal variables (sexes confounded) revealed higher growth in CB than in MA. Mature individuals were found throughout the year, except for September in MA. Spawning periods occurred from March–April to May and from June to August in both sites. Spawning was associated to an increase in seawater temperature. Besides increasing the current knowledge on the biology of B. brandaris from the southern Mediterranean, the information gathered in the present study constitutes a useful baseline for the sustainable management of local wild stocks, namely by prohibiting collection of snails during the spawning season.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abidli S., Lahbib Y. & Trigui El Menif N. 2009a. Imposex and genital tract malformations in Hexaplex trunculus and Bolinus brandaris collected in the Gulf of Tunis. Bull. Mar. Sci. 85(1): 11–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abidli S., Lahbib Y. & Trigui El Menif N. 2009b. Effects of TBT on the imposex development, reproduction and mortality in Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae). J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK. 89(1): 139–146. DOI: 10.1017/S0025315408002282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abidli S., Lahbib Y. & Trigui El Menif N. 2011. Imposex and butyltin concentrations in Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from the northern Tunisian coast. Environ. Monit. Assess. 177(1–4): 375–384. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1640-z

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abidli S., Santos M.M., Lahbib Y., Castro L.F.C., Reis-Henriques M.A. & Trigui El Menif N. 2012. Tributyltin (TBT) effects on Hexaplex trunculus and Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae): imposex induction and sex hormone levels insights. Ecol. Indic. 13(1): 13–21. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.05.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amor M.J. & Durfort M. 1990. Atypical spermatogenesis in Murex brandaris. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 25(4): 357–363. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1080250408

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amor M.J., Ramón M. & Durfort M. 2004. Ultrastructural studies of oogenesis in Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae). Sci. Mar. 68(3): 343–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartolome C. 1985. Contribution à l’étude du gastéropode Murex brandaris (Linné, 1758) dans le Golfe du Lion. DEA Thesis, Academie de Montpellier, Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, France, 92 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Charrada R. 1997. Etude hydrodynamique et écologique du Golfe de Tunis. Thèse 3ème Cycle, Université de Tunis II, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, 319 pp.

  • Bourdeau P.E. 2009. Prioritized phenotypic responses to combined predators in a marine snail. Ecology 90(6): 1659–1669. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/08-1653.1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bryan G.W., Gibbs P.E., Burt G.R. & Hummerstone L.G. 1987. The effects of tributyltin (TBT) accumulation on adult dogwhelks, Nucella lapillus: Long-term field and laboratory experiments. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK. 67(3): 525–544. DOI: 10.1017/S0025315400027272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castro L.F.C., Lima D., Machado A., Melo C., Hiromori Y., Nishikawa J., Nakanishi T., Reis-Henriques M.A. & Santos M.M. 2007. Imposex induction is mediated through the Retinoid X Receptor signalling pathway in the neogastropod Nucella lapillus. Aquat. Toxicol. 85(1): 57–66. DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.07.016

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiavarini, S., Massanisso P., Nicolai P., Nobili C. & Morabito R. 2003. Butyltins concentration levels and imposex occurrence in snails from the Sicilian coasts. Chemosphere 50(3): 311–319. DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00601-X

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elhasni, K., Ghorbel M., Vasconcelos P. & Jarboui O. 2010. Reproductive cycle and size at first sexual maturity of Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Gulf of Gabès (southern Tunisia). Invertebr. Reprod. Dev. 54(4): 213–225. DOI: 10.1080/07924259.2010.9652335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fent K. 1996. Ecotoxicology of organotin compounds. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 26(1): 1–117. PMID: 8833456

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fretter V. & Graham A. 1994. British Prosobranch Molluscs: Their Functional Anatomy and Ecology. The Ray Society, London, 820 pp. ISBN: 0903874237, 9780903874236

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisoni G.F., Guelorget O., Pertuisot J.P. & Fresi E. 1986. Diagnose écologique et zonation biologique du lac de Bizerte. Applications aquacoles. Rapport du projet MEDRAP: Régional Méditerranean Developpement of Aquaculture. FAO, 41 pp. http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/007/af010f/af010f00.htm #TOC

  • Gharsallah I.H., Zamouri-Langar N., Missaoui H. & El Abed A. 2004. Étude de la croissance relative et de la biomasse d’Hexaplex trunculus dans la lagune de Bizerte. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 129(4): 427–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gharsallah I.H., Vasconcelos P., Zamouri-Langar N. & Missaoui, H. 2010. Reproductive cycle and biochemical composition of Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from Bizerte lagoon, northern Tunisia. Aquat. Biol. 10(2): 155–166. DOI: 10.3354/ab00275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs P.E. & Bryan G.W. 1986. Reproductive failure in populations of the dog-whelk, Nucella lapillus, caused by imposex induced by tributyltin from antifouling paints. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK. 66(4): 767–777. DOI: 10.1017/S0025315400048414

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs P.E., Pascoe P.L. & Bryan G.W. 1991. Tributyltin-induced imposex in stenoglossan gastropods: Pathological effects on the female reproductive system. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 100(1–2): 231–235. DOI: 10.1016/0742-8413(91)90159-Q

    Google Scholar 

  • Giménez, J. & Penchaszadeh P.E. 2003. Size at first sexual maturity in Zidona dufresnei (Caenogastropoda: Volutidae) of the south-western Atlantic Ocean (Mar del Plata, Argentina). J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK 83(2): 293–296. DOI: 10.1017/S0025315403007100h

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hotchkiss A.K., Sternberg R.M. & LeBlanc G.A. 2008. Environmental cues trigger seasonal regression of primary and accessory sex organs of the mud snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta. J. Molluscan Stud. 74(Part 3): 301–303. DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyn009

    Google Scholar 

  • Houart R. 2001. A Review of the Recent Mediterranean and Northeastern Atlantic Species of Muricidae. Ed. Evolver, Rome, 227 pp. ISBN: 9788882990060

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahbib Y., Abidli S. & Trigui El Menif N. 2009. Relative growth and reproduction in Tunisian populations of Hexaplex trunculus with contrasting imposex levels. J. Shellfish Res. 28(4): 891–898. DOI: 10.2983/035.028.0419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lahbib Y., Abidli S. & Trigui El Menif N. 2010. Laboratory study of the intracapsular development and juvenile growth in the banded murex Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae). J. World. Aquacult. Soc. 41(1):18–34. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-7345.2009.00310.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lahbib Y., Trigui El Menif N., Le Pennec M. & Boumaiza M. 2004. Données sur le cycle reproducteur du mollusque gastéropode Hexaplex trunculus (Linné, 1758) de la Lagune de Bizerte (Tunisie). Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 129(4): 407–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemghich I. & Benajiba M.H. 2007. Survey of imposex in prosobranchs mollusks along the northern Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Ecol. Indic. 7(2): 209–214. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2005.09.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Márquez F., González-José R. & Bigatti G. 2011. Combined methods to detect pollution effects on shell shape and structure in Neogastropods. Ecol. Indic. 11(2): 248–254. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2010.05.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martín P., Sánchez P. & Ramón M. 1995. Population structure and exploitation of Bolinus brandaris (Mollusca: Gastropoda) off the Catalan coast (northwestern Mediterranean). Fish. Res. 23(3–4): 319–331. DOI: 10.1016/0165-7836(94)00346-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayrat A. 1959. Nouvelle méthode pour l’étude comparée d’une croissance relative dans deux échantillons. Application à la carapace de Penaeus kerathurus. Bull. Inst. Fr. Afr. Noire A 21: 21–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morcillo Y. & Porte C. 1998. Monitoring of organotin compounds and their effects in marine molluscs. Trends Anal. Chem. 17(2): 109–116. DOI: 10.1016/S0165-9936(97)00115-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poppe G.T. & Goto Y. 1991. European Seashells, Vol. 1 (Polyplacophora, Caudofoveata, Solenogastra, Gastropoda). Verlag Christa Hemmen, Wiesbaden.352 pp. ISBN: 3925919074

    Google Scholar 

  • Poore G.C.B. 1973. Ecology of New Zealand abalones, Haliotis species (Mollusca: Gastropoda): 4. Reproduction. N. Z. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 7(1–2): 67–84. DOI: 10.1080/00288330.1973.9515456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramón M. & Amor M.J. 2001. Increasing imposex in populations of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the northwestern Mediterranean. Mar. Environ. Res. 52(5): 463–475. DOI: 10.1016/S0141-1136(01)00101-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ramón M. & Amor M.J. 2002. Reproductive cycle of Bolinus brandaris and penis and genital duct size variations in a population affected by imposex. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK. 82(3): 435–442. DOI: 10.1017/S0025315402005696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramón M. & Flos R. 2001. First trials to cultivate the muricid gastropod Bolinus brandaris (Linnaeus). Eur. Aquac. Soc. Spec. Publ. 29: 219–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi H.H., Huang C.J., Zhu S.X., Yu X.J. & Xie W.Y. 2005. Generalized system of imposex and reproductive failure in female gastropods of coastal waters of mainland China. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 304: 179–189. DOI: 10.3354/meps304179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith B.S. 1971. Sexuality in the American mud snail Nassarius obsoletus Say. Proc. Malacol. Soc. London 39(5): 377–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solé M., Morcillo Y. & Porte C. 1998. Imposex in the commercial snail Bolinus brandaris in the northwestern Mediterranean. Environ. Pollut. 99(2): 241–246. DOI: 10.1016/S0269-7491(97)00186-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Souissi S., DalyYahia-Kéfi O. & DalyYahia M.N. 2000. Spatial characterisation of nutrient dynamics in the Bay of Tunis (south-western Mediterranean) using multivariate analyses: consequences for phyto and zooplankton distribution. J. Plankton Res. 22(11): 2039–2059. DOI: 10.1093/plankt/22.11.2039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg R.M., Gooding M.P., Hotchkiss A.K. & LeBlanc G.A. 2010. Environmental-endocrine control of reproductive maturation in gastropods: implications for the mechanism of tributyltin-induced imposex in prosobranchs. Ecotoxicology 19(1): 4–23. DOI: 10.1007/s10646-009-0397-z

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Terlizzi A., Fraschetti S., Gianguzza P., Faimali M. & Boero F. 2001. Environmental impact of antifouling technologies: state of the art and perspectives. Aquat. Conserv. Mar. Freshwater Ecosyst. 11(4): 311–317. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terlizzi A., Geraci S. & Gibbs P.E. 1999. Tributyltin (TBT)-induced imposex in the Neogastropod Hexaplex trunculus in Italian coastal waters: morphological aspects and ecological implications. Ital. J. Zool. 66(2): 141–146. DOI: 10.1080/11250009909356248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trigui El Menif N., Lahbib Y., Le Pennec M., Flower R. & Boumaiza M. 2006. Intensity of the imposex phenomenon — impact on growth and fecundity in Hexaplex trunculus (Mollusca: Gastropoda) collected in Bizerta lagoon and channel (Tunisia). Cah. Biol. Mar. 47(2): 165–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasconcelos P., Carvalho S., Castro M. & Gaspar M.B. 2008a. The artisanal fishery for muricid gastropods (banded murex and purple dye murex) in the Ria Formosa lagoon (Algarve coast, southern Portugal). Sci. Mar. 72(2): 287–298. DOI: 10.3989/scimar.2008.72n2287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasconcelos P., Gaspar M.B. & Barroso C.M. 2010. Imposex in Bolinus brandaris from the Ria Formosa lagoon (southern Portugal): usefulness of “single-site baselines” for environmental monitoring. J. Environ. Monit. 12(10): 1823–1832. DOI: 10.1039/c0em00261e

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vasconcelos P., Lopes B., Castro M. & Gaspar M.B. 2008b. Comparison of indices for the assessment of reproductive activity in Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae). Mar. Biol. Res. 4(5): 392–399. DOI: 10.1080/17451000802020436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasconcelos P., Moura P., Castro M. & Gaspar M. B. 2011. Size matters: importance of penis length variation on reproduction studies and imposex monitoring in Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae). Hydrobiologia 661(1): 363–375. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-010-0544-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasconcelos P., Pereira A.M., Constantino R., Barroso C.M. & Gaspar M.B. 2012. Growth of the purple dye murex, Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae), marked and released in a semi-intensive fish culture earthen pond. Sci. Mar. 76(1): 67–78. DOI: 10.3989/scimar.03313.21B

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vélez-Arellano N., Guzmán Del Próo S. & Ortiz Ordoñez E. 2009. Gonadal cycle of Tegula eiseni (Jordan, 1936) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Bahía Asunción, Baja California Sur, Mexico. J. Shellfish Res. 28(3): 577–580. DOI: 10.2983/035.028.0321

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences of Bizerta (FSB), Laboratory of Environment Biomonitoring, Group of Fundamental and Applied Malacology (LEB/GFAM), University of Carthage, 7021, Zarzouna, Bizerta, Tunisia

    Sami Abidli, Youssef Lahbib & Najoua Trigui El Menif

Authors
  1. Sami Abidli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Youssef Lahbib
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Najoua Trigui El Menif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Najoua Trigui El Menif.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abidli, S., Lahbib, Y. & Trigui El Menif, N. Relative growth and reproductive cycle in two populations of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from northern Tunisia (Bizerta Lagoon and small Gulf of Tunis). Biologia 67, 751–761 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-012-0060-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-012-0060-7

Key words

Search

Navigation