Sexual cycle of the two mussel species cohabiting in the Mirleft Bay (Southern Morocco): Perna perna (Linné, 1758) and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819)

The goal of our investigation was to study the reproduction of the mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis and Perna perna that grow together in the Mirleft Bay (Sidi Ifni, South Morocco). Several parameters of reproductive cycle were monitored at three representative sites (Grizim, Tabougricht and Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah) during one annual cycle. In both species, only a small percentage of individuals were found at the sexual resting stage at the three sites. Two spawning periods were observed. Mussel density presented large variations, depending on the month and sites, and correlated with the reproductive cycle and environmental conditions. Our results show that mussels in Mirleft Bay, now exploited by the local population, are suitable for mussel farming development in this area.