Cephalopod research

• Introduction
• Biology of the brief squid, Lolliguncula brevis
• Research on Illex and Loligo from coastal waters

Introduction

Cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, and octopus) were dominant pelagic predators in marine environments prior to the evolution of teleost fishes. They are still significant members of marine communities in coastal and oceanic waters, although the biology, ecology, and life histories of many speices are poorly described. The Chesapeake Bay is home to a small, short-lived cephalopod, the brief squid Lollinguncula brevis.

Biology of the brief squid, Lolliguncula brevis

The distribution, swimming physiology, and swimming mechanics of the brief squid, Lolliguncula brevis, were examined by Ian Bartol as part of his dissertation work. Field collections from local waters coupled with extensive laboratory experiments provided data which shed light on both the ecology and evolution of swimming behavior in this species.

Related publications

Bartol, I.K. 1999.
Bartol, I.K. 2001.
Bartol, I.K., Mann, R., and M. Patterson. 2001.
Bartol, I.K., Patterson, M. and R. Mann. 2001.
Bartol, I.K., Mann, R. and M. Vecchione. 2001.

Research on Illex and Loligo from coastal waters

We maintain an active collaboration with the commercial squid fishing industry of the middle Atlantic region. This program, effected under the direction of Dr. Eric Powell at Rutgers University, is focused on the improvement of stock assessment techniques for two commercially fished cephalopod species: Loligo and Ilex. Typical stratified random surveys for these species are problematic given the time to work up survey data and the short generation time of the target species. Real time assessment is being investigated as an alternative approach. Molluscan Ecology personnel have worked with National Marine Fisheries Service researchers and industry members (vessel owners and crew) to implement a real time reporting of catch on daily intervals. The resulting data are then used to back-calculate initial stock size. In effect, this technique is a mimic of the current methods used in the Falkland Islands Ilex fishery with real time stock assessment.