Biology of Meretrix Meretrix(linnaeus,1758)Off Ratnagiri, India : Great clam off Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra, India

Several venerid clams species occur along the west coast of Maharashtra. Meretrix meretrix is one of these important clams, which have formed vast beds on the estuarine area of Ratnagiri. They are exploited on commercial basis throughout the year for local as well as for external markets due to the heavy demand. Present study analyses the biological aspects and environmental parameters of this clam found along the Ratnagiri coast of Maharashtra, India. This clam attains the length of 30 mm at the end of the first year, 42 mm at second year and 45 mm at the end of third year. L value calculated was 58.80 mm. First recruitment appearance in October indicated that the breeding must have been taken place in September, which was confirmed from the annual gonadal development cycle studied.