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The reproductive pattern of Loligo vulgaris and Loligo forbesi was studied on the basis of gonad maturation, mating and spawning in males and females of both species which were present off the northwest coast of Spain (Galicia), between February 1991 and February 1993. The mature females of both species have several modes of egg sizes and developmental stages within the ovary. Several signs indicate that both female Loligo vulgaris and L. forbesi undergo partial ovulation at the time of spawning, the spawning period being relatively long, although in no case representing the greatest fraction of the animal's life before death. Egg-laying occurring in separate batches and somatic growth between egg batchs has not been observed. This reproductive pattern is defined as intermittenterminaspawning. Some other terms describing different cephalopod reproductive strategies are also defined.

The population biology of Loligo vulgaris and Loligo forbesi in Galician waters is described based on monthly samples from the fishery obtained during the period February 199 l-June 1992. Maturity was assessed using a maturity scale and indices. The estimated number of oocytes in mature females varied from 782 to 21 885 in L. vulgaris and from 1317 to 14 956 in L. forbesi, and showed a slight positive correlation with the length of the mantle (ML) for both species. Oocytes in the ovaries fall into three discrete size classes, which suggests that L. vulgaris and L.forbesi are intermittent or multiple spawning species. In L. vulgaris males mature at two different modal sizes, hence perhaps at two different ages, while in L. forbesi this occurs in both males and females. Males mature earlier in the season than females in both species. The maximum number of spermatophores found was 1010 and 1000 in two L. vulgaris males with 119 mm and 400 mm ML respectively, and 1035 in a L. forbesi male with 150 mm ML. In both species, spermatophore length increases with ML. Loligo forbesi males maturing at a larger size produce fewer but larger spermatophores than those maturing at a small size. Loligo vulgaris spawn throughout the year, but the period of more intensive spawning extends from December to April. The breeding season ofL. forbesi extends from December to May, the more intensive spawning extending from December to February. Sex ratios were variable for both species. Age and growth for both species and sexes were estimated by examining growth increments in the statoliths. Like-sized individuals had different ages in both species. The life span of L. vulgaris was estimated at about l year while L. forbesi seems to reach an age of 15-16 months. A list of prey species found in gastric contents of both species is given. The diet of L. vulgaris comprises fish (86.8%), cephalopods (6.0%), crustaceans (3.0%) and polychaetes (1.8%), and the diet of L. forbesi includes fish (75.6%)

Morphometric variation in the squid Loligoforbesi was investigated to quantify effects of region, season, sex and maturity. Practical exercises were carried out using this species and the congeneric Loligo vulgaris to evaluate differences in measurements by different workers. The utility of meristic characters was also examined. Consistent significant differences were found between measurements by different workers, although this problem may be reduced with experience and many of the differences were small compared with observed differences between areas, particularly differences between Loligoforbesi from the Azores and elsewhere (Scotland, Spain, Portugal). Body shape in Loligoforbesi varied significantly in relation to maturity stage and, to a lesser extent, with season. Multivariate analysis of morphometric characters for samples collected in Scottish waters over 12 months revealed no consistent differences between localities. In contrast, there were marked differences between Loligoforbesi from the Azores and those from UK waters. If future studies on geographic variation in loliginids are to make use of morphometric characters, they should be based on simultaneous sampling to minimise effects of season and maturity, and all measurements on a single character should be made by a single worker.

The Spanish fishery for the loliginid squids Loligo vulgaris and Loligo forbesi is described, with particular emphasis on the period 1983-1991. During this period the landings of squid in Spain stayed at a relatively constant level of around 2200 t. The value of the Spanish squid landings increased throughout the 1980s and amounted to £9.7 million in 1991. The two species of squid are not treated separately in the official statistics, and therefore the percentage corresponding to each is unknown; nevertheless, in the maritime regions of the Mediterranean, L. vulgaris is practically the only species landed, while in Atlantic regions, both are landed, although L. vulgaris is more abundant than L. forbesi. Particular attention is paid to the analysis and description of fisheries and squid landings in Galicia (northwest Spain) and Catalonia (northeast Spain), during the period 1980- 1991. In both regions, part of the landings correspond to trawling and purse-seine fisheries targeting finfish, where squid is caught as a by-catch. There are also important seasonal artisanal fisheries where the target species is squid. Landings have shown a marked seasonality; being more plentiful in summer and autumn. This resource does not show signs of overfishing. The present methods of fishing management are discussed, and proposals are put forward to modify some of these in order to avoid catching immature individuals of less than 200 mm mantle length.