Are bigger calamary Sepioteuthis australis hatchlings more likely to survive? A study based on statolith dimensions

摘要: To determine whether any size-selective processes were operating throughout the life history of squid, this study set out to ascertain bigger hatchlings are more likely survive adulthood. This was achieved by comparing natal statolith dimensions between recently hatched (<13 h old) and successfully recruited adult Sepioteuthis australis. The squid (analogous teleost otolith) retains a check associated with hatching, radius (NR) at hatching had strong linear relationship dorsal mantle length (ML). Hatchlings collected using emergent traps from October 2001 February 2002 on natural spawning grounds located east coast Tasmania. Hatchling size extremely variable ranging 4.3 7.3 mm (ML), significantly larger squids in November smallest February. From August, adults same bay aged validated daily rings those estimated have been born included analysis. In all but 1 mo, significant difference NR distributions detected due low numbers small NRs. indicated that smaller less recruit, suggesting there is an element size-mediated mortality populations S.