Squids’ birthday influences mating: Male spear squids become “sneakers” or “consorts” depending on when they were born, and stay that way

24 Apr., 2024

The University of Tokyo

Spear squid. Native to the western Pacific Ocean along the coast of Asia, the spear squid only lives for a year and is a popular food in Japan. © 2024 Shota Hosono

The day a male spear squid hatches determines which mating tactic he will use throughout his life, according to new research. Spear squid (Heterololigo bleekeri) that hatch earlier in the season become “consorts” which fight for mating opportunities. Those which hatch later become “sneakers,” which use more clandestine mating tactics. Researchers found that the mating tactic determined by the birth date was fixed for the squid’s whole life. Understanding how mating tactics are influenced by birth date, and the environmental conditions at that time, can help researchers consider how squid might be affected by climate change and the implications for marine resource management.

UTokyo FOCUS – Press releases
Squids’ birthday influences mating
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/en/press/z0508_00346.html