Preliminary Experiments on Artificial Insemination of the Argentine Shortfin Squid Illex argentinus

Abstract

Artificial insemination of the Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus was carried out on board, and the hatchlings were successfully obtained. Applying oviducal gland jelly to inseminated egg allowed the embryo to expand chorion and develop perivitelline space, but applying nidamental gland jelly and applying no jelly was not successful. The eggs which developed perivitelline space only continued embryonic development normally and proceeded onto hatching. The embryonic development was observed in vitro throughout the experiment. The hatchlings survived for about one week in vitro without feeding.