Abstract
Summary: The neon flying squid, Ommastrephes bartramii, is an oceanic squid species that is widely distributed in the North Pacific, with the winter-spring cohort spawning around the Hawaiian Islands. Here, we investigated the spawning characteristics of O. bartramii by analyzing various reproductive parameters of individuals (622 males, 108 females) collected in this region. Female spawning status was determined from the somatic indices and histological characteristics of the ovaries. At all developmental stages, the ovaries of spawned females contained oocytes, and oviduct fullness was not correlated with body size. Thus, because the eggs mature asynchronously, with multiple filling and evacuation events, this species is considered an intermittent spawner. Mature males with developed accessory glands were also present within the distribution range of healthy spawned females, indicating that mating occurs between spawning events. Our data indicate that the first spawning event occurs at a mantle length of ~520-540 mm for Hawaiian O. bartramii. Subsequently, the squid forage and grow, and refill the oviducts, before the second spawning event occurs.
Highlights
All living cephalopods are considered semelparous with the only exception being Nautilus, which has a life span of more than 20 years (Rocha et al 2001)
Matullin 2002, Nigmatullin 2011) have reported complex reproductive patterns that cannot be categorized as semelparous, in tropical and subtropical oegopsid squids belonging to the family Ommastrephidae
We aimed to examine the reproductive characteristics of the winter-spring cohort of O. bartramii near the Hawaiian Islands, using individuals collected from 1990 to 2000 and 2013
Summary
All living cephalopods are considered semelparous (i.e. characterized by a single reproductive event; Boyle 1983, Calow 1987, Rodhouse 1998) with the only exception being Nautilus, which has a life span of more than 20 years (Rocha et al 2001). Matullin 2002, Nigmatullin 2011) have reported complex reproductive patterns that cannot be categorized as semelparous, in tropical and subtropical oegopsid squids belonging to the family Ommastrephidae. Intermittent spawning without somatic growth between spawning events has been reported for Illex coindetii (González and Guerra 1996), Todaropsis eblanae (Rasero et al 1995) and Illex illecebrosus (O’Dor and Dawe 1998). Intermittent spawning with somatic growth between spawning events has been reported for Ommastrephidae (Reznik and Bessmertnaya 1993, Nigmatullin and Laptikhovsky 1994, Nesis 1996, Laptikhovsky and Nigmatullin 2005, Nigmatullin and Markaida 2009). Iteroparity has been reported in the squid Kondakovia longimana (Laptikhovsky et al 2013)
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