Reproductive Biology of Octopus hubbsorum (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) from the Coast of Oaxaca, Mexico
2015
Alejo-Plata, María del Carmen | Gómez-Márquez, José Luis
Aspects of the reproductive biology of Octopus hubbsorum Berry, 1953 from the Coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, were analyzed. A total of 998 specimens of mantle length (ML) ranging from 40–220 mm were obtained from catches of artisanal fisheries from January 2011 to December 2012. The reproductive activity was assessed using gonad histology, oocyte development, maximum oocyte size, maturity, and gonadosomatic index. A good correspondence between main macroscopic characteristics and histological structure was observed, as emphasized in females where oviductal gland morphology correlates very well in the macroscopic evaluation of maturity. The fecundity range was estimated between 22,447–545,444 oocytes. Maturing oocyte size—frequency distribution was polymodal, and the spawning season is extended with two reproductive peaks. These results indicate that O. hubbsorum has asynchronic ovulation and, is an intermittent terminal spawner. The estimated size at sexual maturity (L₅₀) for females was 90.5 mm ML and for males 74.5 mm ML. The presence of mature population may be related to generally warm water conditions during most of the year. The results have identified the coast of Oaxaca as an important area for O. hubbsorum spawning in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
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