Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The gametogenic cycle of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) as observed on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia (south of Spain)

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study reports the gametogenic cycle of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 in the Atlantic coast of Andalusia between May 2001 and May 2002. A total of 673 specimens of total weight ranging from 30 to 3,732 g were analysed. The gonad development was defined by means of histological methods and gonadosomatic indexes. Four gametogenic stages were identified in males (I immature, II maturing, III mature, IV spawning) and in females (I immature, II maturing, III pre-spawning, IV spawning). The sex ratio obtained was not significantly different from 1:1 (P>0.01). Mature males were found during the whole year, September being the month when the highest rate of sexually active individuals occurred (48%). In females, the gametogenic cycle commenced in December and ended in November, and spawning occurred between April and October, with two maximum peaks in August and September (48% in each). Size at sexual maturity was 850 g of total body weight for males and 1,250 g of total body weight for females. Males mature earlier than females.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Borges TC, Erzini K, Gama I, Gonçalves IA, Pereira A, Raposo C, Sendäo JC, Ramos F, Silva L, Sobrino I (2000) Cephalopod resources dynamics and fisheries trends in the Algarve and Gulf of Cadiz. Final Report to the European Commission DG Fisheries. Study project no. 97/0086. Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal, and Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Unidad de Cádiz, Spain

  • D’Aniello A, Di Cosmo A, Di Cristo C, Assisi L, Botte V, Di Fiore MM (1996) Occurrence of sex steroid hormones and their binding proteins in Octopus vulgaris Lam. Biophys Biochem Res Commun 227:782–788

    Google Scholar 

  • Dia M (1988) Biologie et explotation du pulpe Octopus vulgaris Cuvier 1797 des cotes Mauritaniénes. Doctoral thesis. L’Université de Bretagne Occidentale

  • Dia M, Goutschine A (1990) Échelle de maturité sexuelle du poulpe (Octopus vulgaris, Cuvier, 1797) des eaux mauritaniennes. Bull Cent Nat Rech Oceanogr Peches 21:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Cosmo A, Di Cristo C, Paolucci M (2001) Sex steroid hormone fluctuations and morphological changes of the reproductive system of the female of Octopus vulgaris throughout the annual cycle. J Exp Zool 289:33–47

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Nuñez MM, Hernández-González CL, Raya CP, Balguerias E (1996) Reproductive biology of Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 from north western African coast (21°N–26°N). Shellfish Committee C. M./K:15. ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Fiorito G, Gherardi F (1999) Prey-handling behaviour of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) on bivalve preys. Behav Proc 46:75–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Froesch D, Marthy HJ (1975) The structure and function of the oviducal gland in octopods (Cephalopoda). Proc R Soc Lond B 188:95–101

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gabr HR, Hanlon RT, Hanafy MH, El-Etreby S (1998) Maturation, fecundity and seasonality of reproduction of two commercially valuable cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis and S. dollfusi, in the Suez Canal. Fish Res 36:99–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerra A (1975) Determinación de las diferentes fases del desarrollo sexual de Octopus vulgaris mediante un índice de madurez. Inv Pesq 39:397–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra A (1978) Sobre la alimentación y el comportamiento alimentario de Octopus vulgaris. Inv Pesq 42:351–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra A (1979) Estudio sobre la biologia y estructura de las poblaciones del pulpo común (Octopus vulgaris) de la plataforma continental del Mediterráneo Catalán y de la Costa Noroccidental Africana. Secretariado de Publicaciones, Intercambio Científico y Extensión Universitaria, Barcelona

  • Guerra A (1981) The fishery of Octopus vulgaris off Finisterre (NW of Spain). Shellfish Committee C. M./K: 4. ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Guerra A (1982) Cefalópodos capturados en la campaña “Golfo de Cádiz-81”. Res Exp Cient 10:17–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra A (1987) La reproducción en los moluscos cefalópodos. In: De los Monteros E, Labarta U (eds) Reproducción en Acuicultura. CAICYT, Madrid, pp 185–216

  • Gutiérrez M (1967) Coloración histológica para ovarios de peces, crustáceos y moluscos. Inv Pesq 31:265–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanlon RT, Messenger JB (1996) Cephalopod behaviour. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

  • Hernández-García V, Hernández-López JL, Castro-Hernández JJ (2002) On the reproduction of Octopus vulgaris off the coast of the Canary Islands. Fish Res 57:197–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martoja R, Martoja-Pierson M (1970) Técnicas de histología animal. Toray-Masson S.A., Barcelona

  • Quetglas A, Alemany F, Carbonell A, Merella P, Sánchez P (1998) Biology and fishery of Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797, caught by trawlers in Mallorca (Baleric Sea, western Mediterranean). Fish Res 36:237–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva L, Ramos F, Sobrino I (2000) Biología reproductiva de Eledone moschata (Cephalopoda, Octopodidae) en aguas del Golfo de Cádiz. In: Dias JA, Ferreira O (eds) 3º Simpósio sobre a Margen Ibérica Atlántica, Faro, September 2000. Centro de Investigaçao Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal, pp 323–324

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are most grateful to Javier Serén and Esther Asensio for their assistance in the laboratory.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. E.P.D.A.P., Bergantín 39, 41012, Sevilla, Spain

    A. Rodríguez-Rúa, I. Pozuelo, M. A. Prado & M. J. Gómez

  2. Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresas, CIFPA “El Toruño”, Ctra. Nacional IV, Km. 654, 11500, El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain

    M. A. Bruzón

Authors
  1. A. Rodríguez-Rúa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. Pozuelo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. A. Prado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. J. Gómez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. A. Bruzón
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. A. Bruzón.

Additional information

Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rodríguez-Rúa, A., Pozuelo, I., Prado, M.A. et al. The gametogenic cycle of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) as observed on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia (south of Spain). Marine Biology 147, 927–933 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-1621-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-1621-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation