| In the bay of Marennes-Oléron, the shell represents 60% and the dry flesh from 3 to 8.5% of the total weight of Crepidula fornicata. Seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of the dry flesh show two periods of spawning for the females and a single period of reproduction for the males, and that the main component of the energy reserve is glycogen. The mean energy value of Crepidula fornicata varies between 15.1 and 19.3 joules/mg of ash-free dry weight of flesh (average 17.7) and this value is higher in the males than the females, during aIl the periods of reproduction. The females lay, as early as their third year, about 56 egg capsules at each spawning, containing a total of Il 725 eggs with an energy value of 22.4 joules/mg ash free dry weight. |
