Sex ratio and size at first maturity of the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus Philippi, 1847 were studied during 15 months, between October 2001 and December 2002, in Arroio Teixeira beach, southern Brazil. Circa of 3000 specimens were collected in swash zone and the length shell varied between 2.0 and 28.33 mm. 347 specimens, between 7.0 and 28.3 mm, were analyzed histologically. The sex ratio was 1:1. Different methods were employed in order to give a better idea of the mean size at first maturity. Donax hanleyanus attain maturity at mean lengths between 12.28 mm and 12.60 mm. A minimum size of 15,0 mm (ca. eight months) for extraction is suggested.
Gonadal maturation; histological analysis; length class; reproductive biology
