Abstract
Indirect evidence suggests that Stenoteuthis oualaniensis is a multiple spawner, a reproductive strategy not reported previously for squid. After spawning once, S. oualaniensis apparently continues to feed, grow, and mature additional oocytes before spawning again. Squid were caught by jigging at night in waters around the main Hawaiian Islands during four cruises from 1981 to 1987. All females from 200 mm mantle length (ML) to at least 318 mm ML were sexually mature, indicating that considerable growth takes place after reaching sexual maturity. Size-frequency analyses of ovarian oocytes revealed continuous egg production throughout adult life. Mature ova are stored in the oviducts, but oviduct fullness is unrelated to body size, indicating repeat spawning.
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Communicated by P. C. Schroeder, Pullman
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Harman, R.F., Young, R.E., Reid, S.B. et al. Evidence for multiple spawning in the tropical oceanic squid Stenoteuthis oualaniensis (Teuthoidea: Ommastrephidae). Mar. Biol. 101, 513–519 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541653
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541653