Current status of Melongena melongena (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in Cispatá Bay, Colombian Caribbean

Estado actual de Melongena melongena (Mollusca: Gastropoda) en la bahía de Cispatá, Caribe Colombiano

Objective. Evaluate the current status of Melongena melongena in Cispatá Bay, Colombian Caribbean through the population aspects of the species. Materials and methods. Three sampling sectors were established, according to the zoning of the mangrove in the bay. For the collection of the biological material a linear transect of 4 x 20 m was located perpendicular to the area of the mangrove with two replicas at a distance of 50 m. For the determination of sex, a subsample of 10 individuals with sizes greater than that estimated for the sexual maturity of the species was taken. The shells were measured in total length, in order to differentiate the sizes of females and males. In each sector, the water temperature and salinity were recorded in situ, using an Extech EC170 multi-parameter meter, and the transparency of the water was calculated using the Secchi disk. Results. A total of 1,149 individuals of M. melongena were recorded, obtaining the highest abundance in the Caño Salado sector (522), followed by Las Cagás (458) and finally Amaya (169). 63% of the individuals were in a size range between 41-61 mm. The sex ratio was 1:1.2 (H:M). The sizes recorded in females were from 55 to 92 mm and in males from 54 to 77 mm. Conclusion. M. melongena in Cispatá Bay has been showing evident signs of recovery in the last decade, considering that most registered individuals have reached the average height of sexual maturity.