Reproductive biology of the squid Loligo forbesi (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters

Reproductive biology of males and females Loligo forbesi were investigated from samples obtained from commercial catch caught by local fishermen using trawling nets. The samples were seasonally collected (548 individuals) between spring 2010 and winter 2011. The results of sex ratio indicated that females outnumbered males during peak periods of reproduction. Based upon morphological features of the gonads, two and five maturity stages for males and females were described, respectively. Depending on the proportion of each maturity stage, as well as various maturity indices (gonado-somatic index, G.S.I and nidamental- somatic index, N.S.I) the spawning season was found to take place during spring and early summer. The mean size at first maturity was 13 and 11.8 cm. dorsal mantle length (ML) for males and females respectively.