Laptikhovsky, Vladimir V., Fock, Heino, Piatkowski, Uwe , Schwarz, Richard and Hoving, Henk-Jan T. (2019) Reproductive strategies of deep-sea squid (Mastigoteuthidae, Chiroteuthidae, Batoteuthidae and Cranchiidae). Marine Biology, 166 (7). Art.Nr. 85. DOI 10.1007/s00227-019-3532-2.

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Abstract

Reproductive systems of rare adult specimens of the deep-sea squid genera Chiroteuthis, Mastigoteuthis, Liocranchia, and Bathoteuthis were collected in 2006 and 2015 in the different research surveys in the Atlantic Ocean between 46 degrees 40'S and 17 degrees 11'N. Whole squids were preserved in 4% buffered formaldehyde solution, subsequently transferred into 70% ethanol and studied in laboratory condition providing initial observations on spawning pattern in these animals. The potential fecundity of Ch. cf. joubini was similar to 45,000-50,000, the maximum egg size was 1.6-1.7 mm, while those of M. agassizii were similar to 8000-16,000 and 1.7-1.9 mm respectively. A maturing female of B. skolops had similar to 4800 eggs of which some similar to 1200 were atretic. The ovary of a spent L. reinhardti contained similar to 116,500 post-ovulatory follicles and no residual egg. Mature females of Chiroteuthis and Mastigoteuthis had spematangia implanted externally in the mantle, whereas Liocranchia had a specialised spermatangia receptacle on the inside of the mantle. Reproductive adaptations of these genera are discussed in relation to spawning habits of other deep-sea squids. Synchronous ovulation was found to be a prevailing type of the gonad development with all eggs being spawned as a single batch, with ot without brooding. In some species, this single batch is not released at once but in several consequent portions exhibiting 'extended synchronous' spawning.

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