Fecundity of Bigfin Squid , Sepioteuthis Lessoniana ( Lesson , 1830 ) ( Cephalopoda : Loliginidae )

Abstract

A total of 25 mature female Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Lesson, 1830) specimens, with a dorsal mantle length between 120-196 mm, were investigated. Estimated potential fecundity varied from 180 to 1054 eggs with mean value of 497 eggs. The potential fecundity values of S. lessoniana in the Mandapam waters (Palk Bay) are found almost similar to those found in Tanzanian waters but higher than the ones in Sri Lankan lagoons. Larger females have higher potential fecundity. The correlation values showed that the fecundity is more closely related to the ovary weight and body weight than to the mantle length. Fecundity increased exponentially with mantle length. The Nidamental gland weight was also found more closely related to the ovary weight in logarithmic relationship. Fecundity vs. ovary weight (r = 0.899) and Nidamental gland weight vs. ovary weight (r = 0.942) exhibited a strong relationships while fecundity showed week correlations with mantle length (r = 0.658) and body weight (r = 0.663).