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Abstract

Pre-spawning cuttlefish were collected between March-June 2008 and April 2012 from spawning grounds in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea). A total of ten females (ML 99-148 mm) were captured alive and were kept in laboratory tanks where they spawned later. After spawning and consequent death the females were dissected. The residual eggs were counted and measured. Their numbers ranged between 1022 and 3036 with asynchronous size distribution. Histological sections demonstrated incipient atresia in most of oocytes that means that in spite of high residual fecundity these females hardly could reproduce further.