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., México. A total of 264 specimens measuring 11 cm to 29 cm were collected. Both CI and MYI increased during winter, spring and summer, inparallel with gonad development, and significantly decreased during autumn, when a considerableproportion of spawning organisms were found along with the highest water temperatures. MI showed no significant seasonal differences (>0.05). From these findings, we suggest that this resource may be exploited during spring and summer.