The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources published guides to many threatened animals living in the state.  This guide gives information about the Brief squid, including description, status, habitat, conservation challenges & recommendations, and measures of success

Whitaker, J. David

South Carolina State Documents Depository

Brief Squid 
Lolliguncula brevis 
Contributor:  David Whitaker 
 
DESCRIPTION 
 
Taxonomy and Basic Description 
 
The brief squid was first identified by 
Blainville (1823) from specimens 
collected in Brazil.  The scientific name 
was changed twice before Steenstrup (1881) returned the species to its original Lolliguncula 
brevis.  This squid is relatively small, rarely exceeding 120 mm (4.7 inches) in mantle length; the 
standard measure of size is body without head and arms.  Having rounded fins, the body is less 
streamlined than most oceanic squids.  The brief squid is unique among cephalopods because it 
is an osmoconformer; that is, its body salinity matches ambient water salinity.  Further, this 
species is capable of tolerating salinities as low as 8.5 ppt (parts per thousand), although it is 
more common in higher salinities (Hendrix et al. 1981; Laughlin and Livingston 1982).   
 
Ogburn-Mathews and Allen (1993) found the brief squid to be the third most numerous 
component of trawl and seine samples collected in North Inlet, South Carolina. However, these 
researchers only found the species in estuarine waters from April through December.  Squid 
were consistently collected together with bay anchovies, perhaps indicating a predator/prey 
relationship between the two species.  
 
Brief squid are relatively common in the nektonic community (water column) and make up a 
considerable portion of the estuarine biomass. Accordingly, the species is assumed to be 
important prey for carnivorous fishes, particularly given the popularity of squid as fish bait.  
Squid are also known to be cannibalistic, with adults feeding on juveniles (Whitaker 1978).  As 
the squid increases in size, its prey preferences change. Small squid feed on benthic crustaceans 
and possibly small fish or fish larvae, whereas larger squid often feed on small fish, probably 
schooling species such as anchovies and silversides.  In confinement, the species survives well 
on grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) and small fishes such as killifishes (Fundulus spp.), 
livebearers (Poecillidae) and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) (Hanlon et al 1983.) 
 
Status  
 
As a common component of the nearshore and estuarine nektonic community of South Carolina, 
this species represents a considerable portion of the estuarine biomass and probably occupies a 
critical role in the estuarine food web. It is considered an indicator species for the health of this 
community type.   
 
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND SIZE   
 
The geographic range of this species is from Maryland through Rio de la Plata, Argentina (Voss 
1956).  The species is common throughout the coastal waters of South Carolina, with all age 
classes, from small juveniles to adults, having been collected in trawl samples throughout the 
coastal zone.   Because the species has planktonic juvenile stages, there is presumably a single 
population distributed along the South Carolina coast; however, this has not been specifically 
investigated. Unfortunately, there are inadequate long-term data sets to evaluate the population 
size and no long-term survey exists that can be used to assess population trends.  Anecdotal 
information suggests the species has not declined significantly in abundance since the 1950s 
when the first scientific trawl samples were consistently taken.   
 
HABITAT AND NATURAL COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS 
 
Squid are most commonly found in salinities in excess of 17 ppt and are generally confined to 
the lower portions of estuaries where salinities are relatively high.  No specific critical habitats 
have been established for the brief squid.  The species is thought to be largely a nektonic 
inhabitant, although it seems to be associated more with bottom waters than with surface waters.  
Vecchione (1991) found catch rates of the squid’s paralarvae (a planktonic form that is 
anatomically identical to the adult) to be higher in bottom samples compared to samples taken in 
the upper portion of the water column.  Ogburn-Mathews and Allen (1993) found the species to 
be more abundant over mud bottoms versus sand bottoms within inlets.  Bartol et al. (2002) 
noted that in Chesapeake Bay, the brief squid was more common in central channel depths of 10 
to 15m (33 to 49 feet) than in deeper waters.   
  
Precise information on spawning locations is unknown.  However, egg strings have been found 
in trawl samples taken in Charleston Harbor (pers. obs.).  Cephaolopds typically attach egg 
strings to solid objects such as oyster shells, clam shells or other bare, solid objects.  Egg strings 
have been observed on shallow mud flats in South Carolina, presumably attached to molluscan 
shells (M. Maddox, SCDNR, pers. comm., 18 March 1980). 
 
CHALLENGES 
 
Although the brief squid is relatively common in trawl and seine samples collected in South 
Carolina, there is no estimate of population size or trend. Additionally, the factors that may 
negatively affect brief squid populations and basic aspects of its life history are still unknown. 
Due to the prevalence of brief squid in the marine environment, it is an excellent indicator of the 
health of that environment.  
 
Shrimp trawlers occasionally catch brief squid (pers. obs.); however, they are not likely captured 
in quantities that would threaten the sustainability of the species.  The vast majority of squid 
utilized as bait and food in South Carolina is of the genus Loligo because it is larger in size and 
of a preferred texture; it s imported from California.  Reported commercial landings of L. brevis 
in South Carolina have averaged less than a thousand pounds per year, probably all bycatch from 
the shrimp trawl fishery.  The species has been part of the shrimp fishery bycatch for over fifty 
years and there appears to be no negative impacts upon the population due to trawling; however, 
population trends have not been specifically monitored (N. Jenkins, DNR Fisheries Statistics 
Program, pers. comm., 21 March 2005).  
 
Brief squid probably rely on relatively clean water and appear to be linked to mud bottom 
habitats that are common in South Carolina.  Hard structures for attachment of egg strings are 
important for the species and oyster and clam shell is abundant on estuarine bottoms.  Reductions 
or alterations in river flow rates through out-of-basin transfers or diversions may negatively 
impact the brief squid.   Presuming the species is estuarine-dependent, adequate quantities of 
fresh water flowing into estuaries may be necessary to maintain viable populations; although the 
species is common in North Inlet, which is a small system with very little freshwater inflow.  
Pollutants associated with terrestrial runoff are likely to be problematic for brief squid 
populations. 
 
Additionally, substantial alteration to intertidal and subtidal mud flats, particularly resulting in 
siltation covering shell and hard structure could reduce optimal substrate for egg string 
attachment.  
 
CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
  
In the 1950s, South Carolina closed most estuarine waters to shrimp trawling.  Additionally, the 
state’s sounds and bays, which were periodically opened on a limited basis, were permanently 
closed to trawling in 1986.  Shrimp trawling is known to produce bycatch of brief squid; 
therefore these closures may have contributed to some level of conservation of stocks.   The state 
has also prohibited the use of small mesh gill nets and “stop nets” (nylon mesh nets used to 
entrap fish) in most estuarine waters.  It is presumed that these gear types could have contributed 
to mortality of brief squid when they were in use.  
 
CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
• Examine long-term trends in brief squid population size and relate those trends to 
environmental and other factors such as predator/prey relationships. 
• Determine spawning seasons, spawning locations and recruitment mechanisms for 
brief squid. 
• Determine brief squid predator/prey relationships. 
• Determine effects of pollutants on distribution, reproduction, growth, maturation, and 
longevity of brief squid. 
• The DNR and other resource management agencies should examine regional water 
use plans to assure that adequate quantities of water are provided to coastal estuaries 
during the appropriate seasons.  
• Work with municipalities and counties to include Best Management Practices (BMPs) 
in development plans throughout the coastal zone. Such plans should include 
installation of retention ponds, modified septic systems and stream bank protection 
measures.  Poorly designed, existing storm water systems should be retrofitted to 
updated designs. 
 
MEASURES OF SUCCESS 
 
Once threats and conservation actions are better identified through the above-mentioned survey 
and research needs, a management plan for brief squid can be developed.  This plan would 
represent a measure of success for this species.  Further, improved water quality will benefit 
many sensitive marine species.   
 
LITERATURE CITED 
 
Bartol, I.K., R. Mann and M Vecchione. 2002.  Distribution of the euryhaline squid Lolliguncula 
brevis in Chesapeake Bay: effects of selected abiotic factors. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 
226:235-247. 
 
Blainville, H.M.D. 1823. Journal de Physique. 96:132.134. 
 
Hanlon, R. T., R. F. Hixon, and W. H. Hulet. 1983.  Survival, growth, and behavior of the 
loliginid squids Loligo plei, Loligo pealei, and Lolliguncula brevis (Mollusca: 
Cephalopoda) in closed sea water systems. Biol. Bull. 165(3): 637-685. 
 
Hendrix, J.P., L.D. McKinney, R.R. Salzer, and R.J. Case.  1981.   Salinity tolerance and the 
responses to hypo osmotic stress of the bay squid Lolliguncula brevis, a euryhaline 
cephalopod mollusk.  Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 69A: 641-648. 
 
Laughlin, R.A. and R.J. Livingston.  1982.  Environmental and trophic determinants of the 
spatial/temporal distribution of the brief squid (Lolliguncula brevis) in the Apalachicola 
estuary (North Florida, USA).  Bull. Mar. Sci.  32(2): 489-497. 
 
Ogburn-Mathews, M.V. and D.M. Allen.  1993.  Interactions among some dominant estuarine 
nekton species.  Estuaries 16(4): 840-850. 
  
Steenstrup, J. 1881. Sepiadarium og Idiosepius, to nye Slagter af Sepiernes Familie. Kong. Vid. 
Selsk. Skr. 1(6):242 
  
Voss, G.L. 1956.  A review of the cephalopods of the Gulf of Mexico.  Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf 
Caribb. 6: 85-178. 
 
Vecchione, M.  1991.  Observations on the paralarval ecology of a euryhaline squid Lolliguncula 
brevis (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae). Fish. Bull. 89:515-521. 
 
Whitaker, J.D.  1978. A contribution to the biology of the neritic squids Loligo pealei and Loligo 
plei off the Southeastern United States.  MS Thesis College of Charleston  161 pp. 
 


Brief squid

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Brief squid

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