Female reproductive biology, and age of deep-sea squid Histioteuthis miranda from southern Africa
2009 ◽
Vol 66
(9)
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pp. 1868-1872
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Keyword(s):
Deep Sea
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Abstract Hoving, H. J. T., and Lipiński, M. R. 2009. Female reproductive biology, and age of deep-sea squid Histioteuthis miranda from southern Africa. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1868–1872. Data on female reproductive strategy and male and female length–weight relationships and age are presented for the mesopelagic squid Histioteuthis miranda. Females exhibit synchronous ovulation, indicating that eggs are spawned at once or over a short period. The maximum potential fecundity seems to range from 89 000 to 148 000 oocytes. Assuming daily deposition of statolith increments, maturing females were 10–15 months old. Male H. miranda mature young (∼6 months) and reach at least 15 months old.