Journal Molluscan Studies Advance Access originally published online on July 10, 2007
Journal of Molluscan Studies 2007 73(2):155-165; doi:10.1093/mollus/eym010
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Identification, distribution and relative abundance of paralarval gonatid squids (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida: Gonatidae) from the Gulf of Alaska, 2001–2003
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA 98115, USA
Correspondence: E.M. Jorgensen; e-mail: elaina.jorgensen{at}noaa.gov
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Abstract |
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Paralarvae of the family Gonatidae were sampled in the Gulf of Alaska during spring 2001–2003. Taxonomic characters were determined to allow identification of the specimens to species. The dorsal head chromatophore pattern (DHCP) was the most robust character and allowed identification to species for the first time without requiring the removal and examination of the radula. Six different DHCPs were found among the six species in the study area. The 1140 specimens collected consisted of the following six species: Berryteuthis anonychus (759), Berryteuthis magister (71), Gonatopsis borealis (155), Gonatus kamtschaticus (1), Gonatus madokai (4) and Gonatus onyx (143). The specimens had a size range of 3.0–20.63 mm dorsal mantle length with the majority of specimens smaller than 10 mm. All species showed an increasing trend in abundance from the shelf (0–200 m) to the slope (200–1000 m) to the basin (>1000 m) except G. onyx in 2001 and 2002. Wide variation in distribution and abundance was found for the four most abundant species; however, in general, B. anonychus was most abundant and widely distributed, followed by Gonatopis borealis, Gonatus onyx and B. magister.
(Received 28 April 2006; accepted 1 February 2007)