Influence of temperature and photoperiod on the maturation of the seminal vesic...

• Author(s): Cunha, Regina Tristão da ; Rodrigues, Armindo ; Sousa, H.
• Date: 2001
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/832
• Origin: Repositório da Universidade dos Açores
• Subject(s): Oxychilus (Drouetia) atlanticus; Photoperiod; Temperature; São Miguel Island (Azores)
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

The land snail Oxychilus (Drouetia) atlanticus is endemic to São Miguel (Azores). In this species, the reproductive system, especiailly the glandular organs, changes in size and shape during the reproductive cycle. As maturation-diagnostic organs, the seminal vesicle and the albumen gland have complementary interpretations. While the former is appropriate to establish the phase of the pre-copulatory and copulatory periods the latter appears a more accurate way to define pre-egg-laying and egg-laying periods. Concerning the effects of photoperiod and temperature on both organs, it seems that while the former triggers the physiological phenomena related to reproduction, inducing the seminal vesicle and the albumen gland to mature, the latter acts mainly as a regulatory factor for these organs, delimiting the distinct phases of reproduction.