Geographical variation in growth and maturation of the squid Illex coindetii (Oegopsida, Ommastrephidae) off the north-west African coast

Statolith microstructure was studied in 162 specimens of Illex coindetii (mantle length ranging from 48 to 300 mm) captured on the shelves of Sierra Leone and Western Sahara between May and November 1987. Growth increments were revealed in all statoliths studied, but they were not well-resolved as in other congeneric species Illex illecebrosus and Illex argentinus. Age and growth rates were estimated assuming that growth increments within statoliths were produced. In both regions, differences in growth rates between sexes (females become larger than males) occurred first in length and then in weight. Geographical differences in sex-specific growth (Western Sahara squid grow faster and attain larger sizes than Sierra Leone squid) was apparent after 150 d in females and 120 d in males. Illex coindetii in Sierra Leone started maturing at smaller sizes but at approximately the same age as the Western Sahara squid. Small sized early maturing groups of I. coindetii with a life span of similar to 0.5 y occurred in both regions. However, large sized late maturing squid with a life span of similar to 1 y were encountered only in the Western Sahara. In waters of the west African shelf, I. coindetii spawn throughout the year.