Mollusc Lissarca miliaris. (Photo: Adam Reed)
Antarctic molluscs switch sex to breed
(WORLDWIDE, 9/20/2012)
A team of researchers of the National Oceanography Centre of Southampton, UK, discovered that the bivalve molluscs Lissarca miliaris switch sex to reproduce.
This species was discovered in 1845 and in 1970 a study started to be developed in order to determine how it bred.
Just recently, a group of researchers led by Adam Reed discovered its hermaphroditic nature, during a study of bivalves in Antarctic waters.
According to Francisco Rocha, a biologist and professor at the University of Vigo, sex change is a widespread practice among other bivalves, such as the oyster.
"There are several species that do the same periodically. Depending on the sex ratio in the colony, some of them change sex to be able to breed," he explained to Faro de Vigo.
Rocha considers the new finding is a "transcendent fact" for that species, although "it is no surprise" because it is something that can happen.
"The Lissarca miliaris lives in a fragile ecosystem, which is also very complex, since for a lot of time it is covered by a thick layer of ice. Therefore, it is very difficult to study," continued the scientist.
Throughout the research -- published in the journal Polar Biology – Reed and other researchers showed how female specimens raise their offspring for 18 months and can hold about 70 offspring specimens inside.
But by focusing on reproduction at the cellular level, they also discovered the presence of eggs in the male specimens.
Researchers believe that these bivalves reproduce as males while in the early stages of development. Then, despite maintaining their male tissue for long, they develop female organs.
"We found many small eggs in males, a greater number than might be raised by an animal throughout its life," Reed noted.
"Hermaphroditism is not uncommon in Antarctic bivalves, and there are still many species to study that may have these described traits," the scientist added, according to BBC.
By Analia Murias
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
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