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A note on distribution and biology of Ocythoe tuberculata (Cephalopoda: Ocythoidae) in the Adriatic Sea

Recently, three females of the rare pelagic species Ocythoe tuberculata (Rafinesque, 1814) were recorded in the Eastern Adriatic Sea. One specimen was collected near the northern shore of the island Koločep in May 2006, while another was collected near the northern shore of the island Hvar in June 2006. The third individual was found near the northern shore of island Korčula in March 2007. Morphometric measurements, including beak dimensions, were recorded from all specimen after preservation. The smallest female (ML: 77 mm) was immature while the other two, with mantle lengths 178 and 202 mm, were mature females, for which potential fecundity estimates were 180.000 and 220.000 respectively. Oocyte size ranged from 0.1 to 3.9 mm, with oocytes smaller than 0.2 mm predominating in the ovary of both mature females. Remains of fish and gelatinous plankton organisms were found in the two non-empty stomachs examined. Occasional findings of O. tuberculata in the eastern Adriatic Sea are discussed in relation to the water masses circulation (ingressions from the eastern Mediterranean) and the species biological characteristics.

Ocythoe tuberculata; occurrence; fecundity; diet; Adriatic Sea

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