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Female reproductive biology of two sympatric incirrate octopod species, Adelieledone polymorpha (Robson 1930) and Pareledone turqueti (Joubin 1905) (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae), from South Georgia

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Abstract

The reproductive biology of two species of endemic Southern Ocean octopods was investigated around the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia and Shag Rocks. The females of both the species produce few, large eggs. This appears to be governed by phylogenetic constraint. No evidence was found for ontogenetic migration or seasonality associated with gonad maturation. Based on oocyte length frequency distributions and observations of oocyte development within the ovary, it is possible that both species could have either a single or multiple-batch spawning strategy. Pareledone turqueti ovaries contained fewer larger oocytes than those of Adelieledone polymorpha, which may help to reduce competition for resources immediately after hatching.

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Acknowledgments

IMB is supported by a Department of Education and Learning, Northern Ireland, research studentship award. We would like to thank the British Antarctic Survey and the Government of South Georgia for access to specimens. We are also grateful to Michael Vecchione and two anonymous reviewers for their useful help and advice on this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Medical and Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK

    I. M. Barratt, M. P. Johnson & A. L. Allcock

  2. British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK

    M. A. Collins

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  1. I. M. Barratt
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  2. M. P. Johnson
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  3. M. A. Collins
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  4. A. L. Allcock
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Correspondence to I. M. Barratt.

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Barratt, I.M., Johnson, M.P., Collins, M.A. et al. Female reproductive biology of two sympatric incirrate octopod species, Adelieledone polymorpha (Robson 1930) and Pareledone turqueti (Joubin 1905) (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae), from South Georgia. Polar Biol 31, 583–594 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0392-x

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