ALBERT

Description: Squids are capable of a high degree of visual signaling, most of which is expressed through the neurally controlled chromatophore organs in the skin. An accurate catalog (or ethogram) of these signals is an essential prerequisite to quantified behavioral analyses and experimentation. Body patterns such as those described here may also be useful for distinguishing between morphologically identical species or subspecies of commercial importance. The natural behavior of Loligo vulgaris reynaudii on spawning grounds was filmed by divers, and the body patterning repertoire was described in detail; 23 chromatic components, 4 postural components, and 9 locomotor components of body patterning were observed and correlated with different types of behaviors. Most of the chromatic components were expressed during intraspecific behaviors (e.g., agonistic behavior among males, courtship, mating) and, to a lesser extent, during interspecific interactions with fishes. Several of the most basic types of body patterns are described, the most distinctive of which are Lateral Display and White Flashing used between males in agonistic contests. This species is comparable to other Loligo spp. in its complexity of body patterning behavior.

Description: A mass spawning of squid resembles, at first glance, a chaotic "nuptial dance" (1). But for the first time, we have applied 3-D, radio-linked acoustic positioning (RAP) to this confusing process, and our early results now reveal a choreography that is, in fact, well organized in time and space. Remote tracking with RAP of individual Loligo vulgaris reynaudii off South Africa has provided insights into the daily sequence of behaviors that lead these animals to aggregate for sexual selection. Each dawn, the squid navigatefor several kilometers, toward the shore, to small, well-defined zones near egg beds on the substrate. After several hours of circling above these egg beds, a pelagic, 3-D lek-like aggregation of large males forms; females are drawn in, and the aggregation condenses as the females and males pair, mate, and lay eggs. Smaller "sneaker males" remain on the periphery of the mating arena and, from this station, attempt extra-pair copulations (EPCs). The mating system of squids is thus unexpectedly complex, rivaling those of mammals and birds (2, 3). Commercial squid-jigging fishermen in South Africa have recently been attracted to the spawning grounds, and they have been successful. Moreover, their activities may be selective for large males. Thus, attention should be devoted to ensuring that such targeted fishing does not alter the characteristics of squid population genetics. Remote tracking and video observations, in combination with genetic analyses, may offer a new opportunity to monitor mating effort and reproductive success, and thus to manage the fishery.