Mating behaviour and general spawning patterns of the southern dumpling squid Euprymna tasmanica (Sepiolidae): A laboratory study

Abstract

We provide the first detailed description of mating behaviour and multiple mating in the southern dumpling squid, Euprymna tasmanica (Pfeffer, 1884) in the laboratory, as well as details on their general spawning patterns. We found that male E. tasmanica increase the number of 'pumps' (mantle contractions) when mating with females that had recently mated, showing that males are able to determine the recent mating history of females. We also found that at the conclusion of mating, the male's hectocotylus was enlarged. To our knowledge, neither had previously been described in sepiolid squid. Euprymna tasmanica females lay multiple clutches over a large proportion of their lifespan, from 1 to ..