Fecundity and spawning in squid of families Enoploteuthidae and Ancistrocheiridae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida)

Abstract

Reproductive system, potential fecundity (PF), relative fecundity (RF) and egg size (ES) were studied in Enoploteuthis anapsis, Abraliopsis atlantica, A. pfefferi (Enoploteuthidae) and Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (Ancystrocheiridae) at different stages of the life cycle. The reproductive system of mature females is 5-19% of the total weight. In Enoploteuthidae PF is 4 000-30 000, RF is 1 000 - 10 000, ES is 0.88-1.1 mm. In Ancistrocheirus the PF is 200 000 - 800 000, RF is about 200 and ES is 1.75-1.85. An examination of advanced spawning and spent animals showed that females spawn more than 60-65% of potential fecundity. The reproductive strategy of the species studied is similar to that of the large nectonic squid families Ommastrephidae and Thysanoteuthidae.