Completed Research: Squid
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Cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, and octopus) were dominant pelagic predators in marine environments prior to the evolution of teleost fishes. They are still significant members of marine communities in coastal and oceanic waters, although the biology, ecology, and life histories of many species are poorly described. The Chesapeake Bay is home to a small, short-lived cephalopod, the brief squid Lollinguncula brevis.
The distribution, swimming physiology, and swimming mechanics of the brief squid, Lolliguncula brevis, were examined by Ian Bartol as part of his dissertation work. Field collections from local waters coupled with extensive laboratory experiments provided data which shed light on both the ecology and evolution of swimming behavior in this species.
Research on Illex and Loligo from coastal waters
This program was active under the direction of Dr. Eric Powell at Rutgers University and focused on the improvement of stock assessment techniques for two commercially fished cephalopod species: Loligo and Ilex. Typical stratified random surveys for these species were problematic given the time to work up survey data and the short generation time of the target species. Real time assessments were investigated as an alternative approach. Molluscan Ecology personnel have worked with National Marine Fisheries Service researchers and industry members (vessel owners and crew) to implement real time reporting of catch on daily intervals. The resulting data were used to back-calculate initial stock size with techniques similar to methods used in the Falkland Islands Ilex fishery using real time stock assessment.
Related publications on Squid
For more information, see research by Ian Bartol at Old Dominion University and Mike Vecchione at USNM Smithsonian