The reproductive strategy of Argonauta nouryi (Cephalopoda: Argonautidae) in the Mexican South Pacific

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the reproductive biology of Argonauta nouryi Lorois, 1852 from the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, were analysed. A total of 54 specimens with dorsal mantle length (ML) ranging from 6.2 to 41.1 mm were obtained from the stomach contents of five species of large predatory fishes from January 2016 to June 2018. The goals of this study were to collect data on reproductive indicators in order to evaluate the reproductive strategy of A. nouryi in the southeast Mexican Pacific and to use histological analysis to characterise the different ovarian phases based on oogenesis. Immature females (19.6 mm ML) had sperm in their oviducal glands, indicating that female A. nouryi store sperm long after hectocotyli transmission by males. Potential fecundity was estimated as 31,000–75,026 eggs, with a batch fecundity of 2,000–8,000 eggs. Six distinct developmental stages were observed in the eggs suspended in the A. nouryi shell. Our data indicate that the A. nouryi reproductive strategy includes continuous low batch spawnings, mating early in life, and sperm storage in the spermatheca.

KEYWORDS:

• Apex predators
• batch fecundity
• hectocotylus
• oocyte development
• Oaxaca
• paper nautilus

Acknowledgments

This study was part of the project ‘Calamares: Recurso pesquero alterativo para la costa de Oaxaca (PDCPN-2015-1740). Our thanks to local fishermen at Puerto Ángel, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Chipehua. MCAP is thankful SNI-CONACyT program. This manuscript has been improved considerably by comments and suggestions from anonymous reviewers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of the project ‘Calamares: Recurso pesquero alterativo para la costa de Oaxaca’ (PDCPN-2015-1740). Our thanks to local fishermen at Puerto Ángel, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Chipehua; Oscar Illescas for drawing figure 4 C; Hugo Guzmán drew up the map. MCAP is thankful to the SNI-CONACyT program.