BIOLOGY OF CEPHALOPODS 



F. G. Hochberg 



University of California 



and 



John A. Couch 



National Marine Fisheries Service 



Oxford, Maryland 



ABSTRACT 



Few studies of cephalopod molluscs have been made in 

 situ . Mission 8-50, TEKTITE II, made possible a three- 

 week study (July-August) of octopods and squids in 

 Greater Lameshur Bay, St. John, U. S. Virgin Islands. 

 A cross sectional study revealed the presence of at 

 least three species of Octopus: 0. briareus; 0. macro - 

 pus ; and 0. vulgaris . Observations on activity periods, 

 territoriality, feeding, and general behavior of these 

 octopods were made. Three different genera and species 

 of squid were observed: S epioteuthis sepioidea ; Pick- 

 fordiateuthis pulchella ; and Loligo plei . Observations 

 on schooling behavior, space requirements, mating, 

 and feeding were made on these squid. 



OBJECTIVES 



Little information, concerned with cephalopod molluscs in their 

 natural environment, is available in the scientific literature. 

 Most studies of cephalopods in the tropical western Atlantic have 

 been concerned with taxonomy (Voss, 1964; Voss and Solis, 1966). 

 The few field observations made on octopods, for example, have 

 been extremely short-term and casual (Storr, 1965). Divers attempt- 

 ing prolonged field studies have been hampered by the great mobility, 

 camouflage ability, and predominately nocturnal habits of cephalo- 

 pods. The presence of highly developed visual and nervous systems 

 in cephalopods often leads to the occurrence of the "observed 

 observer" phenomenon when divers attempt short-term field observa- 

 tions. 



The objective of our project was to conduct a cros s sectional study 

 of cephalopod abundance, species composition, distribution, diet, 

 activity patterns, and parasites in Greater Lameshur Bay. Further, 

 we also hoped to carry out short-term longitudinal studies of 

 specific individuals or groups of cephalopods concerning behavioral 

 patterns including feeding methods, territoriality, color patterns, 

 and species interaction. 



VI-221 



