First field observation of naturally-laid eggs of Loligo forbesi (Cephalopoda: Myopsida), through a remotely operated vehicle in the Azores

An egg mass of Loligo forbesi was observed in the field for the first time while conducting a remotely operated vehicle dive at a depth of 370 m, off the Sao Jorge Island (Azores, north-east Atlantic). This observation allowed the confirmation of two hypotheses previously suggested for the reproduction of this species: (i) that in the Azores this species spawns deeper than the previously recorded 144 m; and that (ii) it is likely that this species prefers to spawn within cavities. The way the observed egg strings suspended from the roof of a cavity, underneath a rocky block, surrounded by sediment, is a feature that interestingly seems to be shared between L. forbesi (in the Azores, all the previous naturally-laid egg masses were recovered from within cavities) and L. vulgaris that inhabit shallower waters off the Madeira archipelago.