Male squid change mating strategies depending on month of birth: Research
Squid mating behavior linked to hatch time revealed in Japanese research
New research has shed light on the intricate mating behaviours of certain squid species based on the timing of their hatching.
A study conducted by marine biologist Shota Hosono from the University of Tokyo reveals a fascinating correlation between the hatching period and the reproductive tactics adopted by male squid.
According to the study, male squid have different mating strategies depending on the month they hatch.
Squids that hatch early in the breeding season,spanningfrom early April to mid-July, tend to growlargerby the time mating season arrives.
Theselargerindividuals become "consorts," engaging in aggressive behaviour to fend off rivals and secure mating opportunities with females. Oncesuccessful, they guard the female while she lays her eggs.
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In contrast, squid hatched later in the season, from early June to mid-August, typically remainsmallerin size.
These individuals adopt a "sneaker" strategy, covertly depositing their sperm near females as they lay their eggs, aiming to fertilise them without engaging in direct competition with other males.
Interestingly, squid born in early July displays a mix of both behaviours, with an equal likelihood of becoming consorts or sneakers. This phenomenon mirrors the relative age effect observed in other speciessuchas humans, where individuals born earlier in the year often have advantages incertaincontexts due to additional developmental time.
The research marks the first evidence of the "birthdate hypothesis" in aquatic invertebratessuggestingthat male squid are predisposed to specific mating behaviours from birth.
Even when early-hatched males fail to develop as expected, they maintain their predetermined mating tactic rather than switching strategies. Rather than solely genetic factors, the study suggests that a complex interplay of physical, biological, and environmental factors at birth influences mating behaviour in squid.
Nonetheless, the research revealed that despite growing up in different seasons, the growth rates of consorts and sneakers during early life were not significantly different.Thisindicates the need for additional research to unravel the potential influence of environmental factors on squid mating behaviours.
(With inputs from agencies)
