Maturação sexual do sururu em ambientes lagunares: variações sazonais e estratégias reprodutivas nas lagunas mundaú e roteiro

Abstract

The sururu (Mytella ssp.) is a bivalve widely distributed throughout Latin America and essential for the subsistence of traditional communities, especially in the lagoonal regions of Alagoas, such as the Mundaú and Roteiro lagoons, where its extraction forms an economic base and supports local livelihoods. The sustainability of this resource is threatened by environmental impacts caused by pollution and anthropogenic pressure; therefore, conducting research on sururu and its reproductive biology is fundamental for the rational management and conservation of these organisms. Given the scarcity of studies on sururu in the region, this research was carried out to identify and assess the sexual maturation of sururu in lagoon environments, analyzing possible seasonal variations and reproductive strategies, as well as identifying stages of gonadal maturation and correlating them with seasonality (rainy/dry periods) in the Mundaú and Roteiro lagoons. Collections were conducted in both lagoons between June 2024 and March 2025. The animals were stored and transported to the Laboratory of Aquaculture and Aquatic Ecology (LAQUA/CECA/UFAL) in refrigerated containers. In the laboratory, morphometric measurements and histological analyses of the gonads were performed; samples were infiltrated in historesin, sectioned in a microtome, and stained with hematoxylin–eosin. Each sample had its gonadal maturation stage classified as immature, developing, mature, spawning, post-spawning, or spent, according to cellular criteria and tissue architecture. The valve morphometric results indicate the presence of two bivalve species, M. strigata and M. guyanensis, both exhibiting a predominantly continuous reproductive cycle, with peaks of maturation and spawning concentrated between August and October. In the collections, M. strigata predominated in the Mundaú lagoon, while M. guyanensis was more abundant in Roteiro, which reflected different reproductive strategies and environmental responses throughout the year. The data obtained allowed the identification of the sexual maturation cycle and the inference of critical periods for sururu reproduction. This information may contribute to the implementation of sustainable management actions, protection, and conservation of the species in the Mundaú and Roteiro lagoons, as well as support mechanisms for closed seasons, benefiting local shellfish gatherers (marisqueiras).