Population biology of Octopus vulgaris on the temperate south-eastern coast of South Africa
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more
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| Keywords |
Cells > Sexual cells > Eggs
Data > Biological data
Distribution
Fisheries > Shellfish fisheries > Mollusc fisheries > Cephalopod fisheries
Population characteristics > Population number
Properties > Physical properties > Density
Sampling
South Africa
Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 [WoRMS]
South African Exclusive Economic Zone [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Oosthuizen, A.
- Smale, M.J.
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| Abstract |
Population structure and biology of Octopus vulgaris was investigated along the south-eastern coast of South Africa. Samples were collected inter- and sub-tidally as a precursor to the establishment of an experimental octopus fishery in the region. In total, 300 (intertidal) and 147 (subtidal) O. vulgaris were collected over a two year period. Females were found to dominate the intertidal area (sex ratio 2:1), while no difference was found subtidally (sex ratio 1:1). Of those collected intertidally, immature females were most prevalent while males ranged from immature to mature. Mature females were only found subtidally. A marked size difference was apparent, with the subtidal octopus being substantially larger. Although brooding females were found throughout the year, numbers peaked in summer. Individual fecundity ranged between 42,000–790,000 eggs. The total number of eggs produced and the number of eggs per egg string were correlated to female size. Diet did not vary greatly between the inter- and sub-tidal areas, with the main prey items being crustaceans, teleosts and octopus. It appears that the immature females use the intertidal area to feed and grow, before migrating to deeper areas to mature and spawn. |
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