Bottom temperature and in situ development of chokka squid eggs (Loligo vulgaris reynaudii) on mid-shelf spawning grounds, South Africa

Oosthuizen, A., and Roberts, M. J. 2009. Bottom temperature and in situ development of chokka squid eggs (Loligo vulgaris reynaudii) on mid-shelf spawning grounds, South Africa. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1967–1971. The aim of the study was to test the development success of squid eggs on the mid-shelf (60–150 m deep) spawning grounds in relation to previous laboratory results, and to describe the mid-shelf temperature environment and how it could affect egg development. A series of in situ egg incubation experiments was conducted on the mid-shelf (∼119 m deep) spawning grounds using cages, temperature sensors, and acoustic releases for retrieval. Newly spawned eggs were collected by scuba, and continuous temperature data were collected at two points between the known inshore spawning grounds and the mid-shelf areas. Temperature variations followed a seasonal warming and cooling cycle, with superimposed peaks and troughs. Egg development data indicated that warm temperature peaks (10–13°C) are sufficient for normal development of eggs on the mid-shelf. Egg development time on the mid-shelf was 2–3 times longer (50–60 vs. 20–30 d) than inshore. The scarcity of abnormalities (0.45%) disputes previous laboratory results that suggested that ∼50% of eggs would suffer abnormalities in the colder mid-shelf temperature environment.