Table 1 Maturity stage assessment definitions for male and female whelk using visual assessment methods.
From: Timing of the reproductive cycle of waved whelk, Buccinum undatum, on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Bight
Stage | Male | Female | Mature |
|---|---|---|---|
Immature (I) | No obvious differentiation between digestive gland and gonad (testis). Vas deferens invisible | No obvious differentiation between digestive gland and gonad (ovary) | 0 |
Developing (II) | Some visible differentiation between the anterior edge of digestive gland and gonad (testis), possibly a visible vas deferens | Some visible differentiation between the anterior edge of digestive gland and gonad (ovary), possibly a visible pallial oviduct | 1 |
Mature (III) | Full differentiation between digestive gland and gonad (testis) obvious, visible vas deferens in males | Fully differentiation between digestive gland and gonad (ovary), visible enlarged pallial oviduct | 1 |