MULTIPLE PATERNITY WITHIN THE BROOD OF SINGLE FEMALES OF LOLIGO-FORBESI (CEPHALOPODA, LOLIGINIDAE), DEMONSTRATED WITH MICROSATELLITE DNA MARKERS

Microsatellite DNA markers developed for the squid Loligo forbesi were used to determine the genotype of a series of embryos obtained from e gg strings of individual females. The results demonstrate that at leas t 2 males had been successful in fertilizing the eggs of a single fema le. The findings are compatible with observations of male competition at mating in other species of loliginid squid. They are discussed in r elation to interpretation of specific questions of cephalopod ecology.