Reproductive biology of pink cuttlefish Sepia orbignyana in the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean)

WOS: 000323423000006Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Sepia orbignyana, such as fecundity, spawning strategies, and gonad histology, have been studied in 1048 specimens (538 males and 510 females) caught during trawl surveys from May 2008 to April 2009 in the Aegean Sea. The length at 50% maturity was estimated as 50 mm for males and 70 mm for females. The smallest mature female had a mantle length (ML) of 36 mm; the smallest mature male had a 32-mm ML. The total egg counts (potential fecundity) in females of 60-84 mm in ML varied between 201 and 1532. The spermatophore counts in mature males (ML = 42-67 mm) were between 68-1055, with a mean of 485.EBILTEM (Science and Technology Center of Ege University)Ege University [2008/SUF/004]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [108Y102]This study was financially supported by EBILTEM (Science and Technology Center of Ege University) (Project No: 2008/SUF/004) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project No: 108Y102). We are indebted to Prof Dr Stephen Astley from the Ege University Science Faculty for editing the text. We would also like to thank both referees for their valuable and constructive comments