ASPECTOS BIOLOGICOS DEL CALAMAR ARGENTINO ILLEXARGENTINUS (CASTELLANOS) CAPTURADO POR LA FLOTA CUBANA DE PESCA EN EL TALUD PATAGONICO DURANTE 1987.

Abstract

In 1987 a program for the biological sampling of squid ///ex argentinus, was begun on board of a fishing ship belonging to the Cuban Fisheries Fleet, wich operates in the Patagonian Shelf. The lengths of both sexes presented a estratified pattern with individuals of larger size found in higher depths and viceversa; this pattern is adjusted to a regression line (r2 = 0.88; a = 0.05). Females reached average length larger than males and the rate of males in catches increased from january to april. The first maturation average length was estimated about 20.5 cm for males and 26.5 cm for females. An increase of the rate of mature individuals was observed between february and april emphazasing in males which showed abundant espermatophores in the sac.