Seasonal variations in meat yield and body indices of three estuarine clam species (Bivalvia: Veneridae)

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-GB">In the present study, meat yield (MY) and body indices like Body Condition Index (BCI), Hepatopancreas Index (HI), Gonadal Index (GI) and shell Component Index (SCI) were studied monthly in three commercially important venerid clams species (<i>M. meretrix</i>, <i>K. opima</i> and <i>P. laterisulca</i>) from Bhatye estuary. Results reveal that the highest meat yield in clams like <i>M. meretrix</i>, <i>K. opima </i>and <i>P. laterisulca</i> was recorded during July, August and September, 2010. Maximum BCI was observed in the months of December, June and September from <i>M. meretrix</i>, <i>K. opima </i>and <i>P. laterisulca</i> respectively. Maximum HI and GI were recorded during April and August in <i>M. meretrix</i>, during July and August in <i>K. opima</i> and during January and June in <i>P. laterisulca</i>. Highest value of SCI was acquired in <i>M. meretrix</i> and <i>P. laterisulca</i> during April, while in <i>K. opima</i> during February. In the present investigation, peak values of meat yield and body condition index were determined as an indicative of nutritive status of the clam species. Hence, greatest availability of nutrients in clams during annual cycle is the most feasibly or ideal period for harvesting commercially important clam species. </span>