CHOKKA SQUID ON THE AGULHAS-BANK - LIFE-HISTORY AND ECOLOGY

Available knowledge is reviewed and new data incorporated in a synthes is of the life history and ecology of the chokka squid Loligo vulgaris reynaudii. We attempt to show that these aspects are essential to rat ional management of the resource. The life cycle is described in detai l from the egg to adult stage, mainly in biological terms, including a comprehensive description of maturation, migration and reproduction. Possible ecological interactions, particularly,hose of paralarvae and copepods, are discussed. Predator-prey relationships and the current s tate of knowledge on the effect of the physical environment on squid a vailability and abundance are summarized.