Sequential Isotopic Signature Along Gladius Highlights Contrasted Individual Foraging Strategies of Jumbo Squid (Dosidicus gigas)

International audienceBackground: Cephalopods play a major role in marine ecosystems, but knowledge of their feeding ecology is limited. In particular, intra- and inter-individual variations in their use of resources has not been adequatly explored, although there is growing evidence that individual organisms can vary considerably in the way they use their habitats and resources. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using d13C and d15N values of serially sampled gladius (an archival tissue), we examined high resolution variations in the trophic niche of five large (.60 cm mantle length) jumbo squids (Dosidicus gigas) that were collected off the coast of Peru. We report the first evidence of large inter-individual differences in jumbo squid foraging strategies with no systematic increase of trophic level with size. Overall, gladius d13C values indicated one or several migrations through the squid's lifetime (,8-9 months), during which d15N values also fluctuated (range: 1 to 5%). One individual showed an unexpected terminal 4.6% d15N decrease (more than one trophic level), thus indicating a shift from higher- to lower-trophic level prey at that time. The data illustrate the high diversity of prey types and foraging histories of this species at the individual level. Conclusions/Significance: The isotopic signature of gladii proved to be a powerful tool to depict high resolution and ontogenic variations in individual foraging strategies of squids, thus complementing traditional information offered by stomach content analysis and stable isotopes on metabolically active tissues. The observed differences in life history strategies highlight the high degree of plasticity of the jumbo squid and its high potential to adapt to environmental changes

Male reproductive system in Neorossia caroli

The male reproductive system of the bobtail squid Neorossia caroli (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae) is described in detail, based on observations of 90 mature males caught from 500 to 1600m depth in Sardinian waters (western Mediterranean Sea). Reproductive organs in mature specimens accounted for up to 6% of total body weight. Of this, 70% was represented by the spermatophoric complex. Up to 83 spermatophores were found inside the Needham’s sac. Mean spermatophore length was 16.7 mm. Sperm mass, cement body, and ejaculatory apparatus represented 63.2%, 13.1%, and 23.7% of the total spermatophore length, respectively. Inverted spermatophores, empty spermatophore sheaths, and spermatangia were also found in the sac, and their presence is discussed. Spermatangia implanted in several parts of the bodies of males (e.g., head, funnel, and eyes) were recorded and their occurrence is discussed. The spermatophoric reaction was induced in the laboratory by submerging spermatophores in seawater, and it is described briefl