Providing squids--especially their giant axons--for biomedical research has now been achieved in 10 mariculture trials extending through multiple generations. The noteworthy biological characteristics of Sepioteuthis lessoniana are (1) this species is behaviorally and morphologically well suited to the laboratory environment; (2) the life cycle is completed in 4-6 months; (3) growth is rapid (12% and 5% wet body weight d-1 for 100 d and for the life span, respectively), with adult size ranging from 0.4-2.2 kg; (4) feeding rates are high (30% wet body weight d-1), and a variety of live crustaceans and fishes are eaten; (5) crowding is tolerated (about 4 squids m-3); (6) the incidence of disease and cannibalism is low; and (7) reproduction in captivity allows culture through three successive generations. Engineering factors contributed to culture success: (1) physical design (i.e., size, shape, and painted pattern) of the culture tanks; (2) patterns of water flow in the culture tanks; (3) water filtration systems; and (4) spawning substrates. Initial production (a few hundred squids per year) suggests that large-scale culture will be able to supply the needs of the biomedical research community. The size (> 400 microns in diameter) and characteristics of the giant axons of Sepioteuthis are appropriate for experimentation, and other studies indicate that the eye, oculomotor/equilibrium system, olfactory system, blood, and ink are equally suitable for research.

Abstract. First culture results are presented from four major experiments (lasting up to 478 days) on the commercially important squid species, Lotigo forbesi Steenstrup, Details are provided on eggs, hatching, feeding, growth, survival, behaviour and sexual maturation. Best survival during the critical first 75 days was 15%. The hatchlings (up to 4 9 mm mantle length, ML) are the largest among the genus Loligo, and the largest squid grown was a male 155mm ML and I24g. First schooling was observed only 40-50 days post-hatching. Spawning was not achieved although males reached maturity, females had maturing ova and mating was observed. The largest giant axon measured was 425^l.m in diameter (from a female 130mm ML), a size suitable for most biomedical applications. Laboratory data suggest a 2-year life cycle compared to fishery data which suggest a 1-year cycle.

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According to Rathbun (1925), Parthcnope (Platylainbrus} serrata (H. Milne Edwards) has a range extending from the Bermudas, and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, through the Gulf of Mexico and Bahama Islands, to Bahia, Brazil. The known substrate on which it occurs consists of sand, broken shells, gravel, corals or combinations of these. Holthuis (1959) found ovigerous females in Surinam from May to June. Williams (1965), citing the United States National Museum records, said ovigerous females have been collected during June in North Carolina, summer in Florida, and October in Cuba. SUMMARY 1. Larvae of an oxyrhynchous crab, Parthenopc (Platylambnis) serrata (H. Milne Edwards), were successfully reared in the laboratory from hatching to the second crab stage on a diet of Artcuiia nauplii. Six zoeal stages, one megalopa and the first crab stage are described and illustrated.

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