ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE MUSSEL, BRACHIDONTES PHARAONIS (FISCHER, 1870) (MYTILIDAE:BIVALVIA: MOLLUSCA) FROM THE NORTHWESTERN COAST OF SUEZ GULF, EGYPT

Reproductive cycle of the two populations of Brachidontes pharaonis (Mytilidae: Bivalvia: Mollusca)at Adabia and Ain Sokhna (northern western coast of the Suez Gulf), was studied during the period from January to December 2014. The present results showed that sex is separated in this species, but the microscopic examinations are necessary for determination of gonads in both sexes. The first appearance for gonads was observed in males and females at 6.3and 6.5 mm shell length, respectively. However, the largest immature individuals reach 8.6 mm shell length. The overall sex ratio indicated to over dominant females at both sites, with 1:1.57 (males: females) at Adabia, increased slightly to 1:1.81 (males: females) at Ain Sokhna, with statistical significant differences (X2= 8.33 and 5.14 significant at P