Reproductive aspects of Brachidontes rodriguezii in the high intertidal; extreme environmental effects

In this study we tried to reveal if under conditions of high-stress mussels presented some trade off about reproductive aspects like size/frequency oocytes and the cycle mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii. This species dominates rocky intertidal coast Buenos Aires province, Argentine is a prey item several exploited species. Mussels were collected from December 2011 May 2013 in upper level it distribution high coast. Gonad tissue samples processed according standard histological procedures. Four gonadal development stages described for males females all year round. According significant decrease frequency mature oocytes, spawning events February 2012/2013. also reports hermaphrodite parasite very low frequency. We concluded that duration post-spawning stage most notable difference along vertical distribution, suggesting condition impacts negatively on gonad restoration.