Reproductive biology and ecology of the boreoatlantic armhook squid Gonatus fabricii (Cephalopoda: Gonatidae)

The squid Gonatus fabricii (Lichtenstein, 1818) is the most abundant pelagic cephalopod in the Arctic and the only squid to spend all of its life cycle in this region. Despite being highly abundant, its reproductive biology remains poorly known, and data on large maturing and mature specimens are especially rare. This study, based on extensive material (51 large specimens and >35,000 specimens in all), fills major gaps in the knowledge of the reproductive biology and ecology of G. fabricii. The fecundity of females ranged from 8,862 to 16,200 oocytes, with mature and late maturing specimens having between 8,862 to c. 10,000 and 11,402 oocytes, respectively. Oogenesis was synchronous, and oocyte resorption was observed; resorbed oocytes constituted up to 23.5% of fecundity. Between two to five ripe oocytes were observed, and these were 4.0–5.5 mm in diameter (maximum dimension). Males possessed between 77 and 257 spermatophores (length = 5.8–10.8 mm). Spermatophores were characterized by a cement body with well-developed collar and discs at the oral end, an ejaculatory apparatus longer than the cement body and the lack of a tapered, sharp tip to the cement body. Spermatophore size showed a uniform increase in relation to increasing male size. In newer spermatophores, the length, width and volume of the seminal reservoir also increased. Females possessed between 62 and 84 spermatangia (length = 1.8–2.6 mm); the spermatangia were present on the buccal membranes and lacked special attachment structures. Seminal receptacles were not found on the buccal membranes of females. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis of geographically restricted spawning in G. fabricii. The study found evidence for one new breeding area in south-eastern Greenland. No differences in sizes at maturity were found between the breeding areas. Such geographically localized reproduction is relatively common in non-deep-water squids, but is much less common in deep-water squids. Localized reproduction may be especially important for G. fabricii because increased food availability in the epipelagic layers would likely increase the survival of epipelagic juveniles, with surface currents potentially aiding in their dispersal.

Individual quality and personality: bolder males are less fecund in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus

One explanation for animal personality is that different behavioural types derive from different life-history strategies. Highly productive individuals, with high growth rates and high fecundity, are assumed to live life at a fast pace showing high levels of boldness and risk taking, compared with less productive individuals. Here, we investigate among-individual differences in mean boldness (the inverse of the latency to recover from a startling stimulus) and in the consistency of boldness, in male hermit crabs in relation to two aspects of life-history investment. We assessed aerobic scope by measuring the concentration of the respiratory pigment haemocyanin, and we assessed fecundity by measuring spermatophore size. First, we found that individuals investing in large spermatophores also had high concentrations of haemocyanin. Using doubly hierarchical-generalized linear models to analyse longitudinal data on startle responses, we show that hermit crabs vary both in their mean response durations and in the consistency of their behaviour. Individual consistency was unrelated to haemocyanin concentration or spermatophore size, but mean startle response duration increased with spermatophore size. Thus, counter to expectations, it was the most risk-averse individuals, rather than the boldest and most risk prone, that were the most productive. We suggest that similar patterns should be present in other species, if the most productive individuals avoid risky behaviour.

Development of sexual organs and fecundity in Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 from the Sardinian waters (Mediterranean Sea)

In this paper we report information about the sexual maturity process of 245 Octopus vulgaris specimens (75 females and 170 males) from the Mediterranean Sea. For both sexes, six stages of sexual maturity (immature, developing, maturing, mature, spawning, and spent) are identified on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic observations of the reproductive system and linked with some reproductive indices. A good correspondence between gonad appearance and its histological structure is observed, highlighting, in females, how oviducal gland morphology plays a crucial role in the macroscopic evaluation of maturity. The Gonadosomatic and Hayashi indices, in the two genders, and the Oviducal Gland index in females alone do not allow distinguishing all the stages in an irrefutable way. Data on the potential fecundity, oocyte and spermatophore size are reported and compared with literature. In addition, spermatophore components are also computed. The results reported in this paper lead to easy identification of the different phases of sexual maturation of O. vulgaris and could constitute an important tool for defining assessment models in view of sound management of this species.

Effects of male ejaculate on female reproductive output and longevity in Photinus fireflies

In many insects, nuptial gifts in the form of spermatophores have been shown to increase female fecundity and to contribute to female somatic maintenance. Examining how variation in male spermatophore size affects female fitness components can provide insight into the evolution of nuptial gifts, as well as insight into potential conflicts between the sexes. Here we present an experimental study on the firefly Photinus obscurellus LeConte, 1851 in which we altered spermatophore size by manipulating male mating history and examined effects on female offspring production and longevity. Females were randomly allocated to one of two mating treatments in which they mated once with a male producing either a large or a small spermatophore. We found that male spermatophore size had no significant effect on lifetime fecundity or daily reproductive rates of female P. obscurellus, but females that received a larger spermatophore showed a tendency toward longer postmating life spans. These results suggest a direct benefit to females from nuptial gifts and also reveal the potential for synergistic effects on multiple facets of female fitness.