The relationship between reproduction and condition was studied in a 15 mo sample of 919 maturing, mature and post-spawning female Octopus mimus (388 to 3714g) caught in Iquique (North Chile). O. mimus is a semelparous species, with reproduction taking place all year round. Investment in reproductive tissues was, on average, 9.9% of mature female body weight, independent of season. However, somatic growth during maturation was dependent on season and varied between 26 and 63% of the whole-body growth in weight. The condition of females did not vary markedly until spawning, although seasonal variations were apparent, winter being the most unfavourable. Condition deteriorated dramatically after spawning, during parental care of the eggs. During this period, somatic-tissue depletion, mainly from the muscles, was > 25% of the total body weight of mature females. The fecundity of O. mimus was probably limited by the costs associated with parental care of the eggs

This work was made possible with the financial support of SERPLAC from the 1st Región de Chile (to T. Cortez)

6 pages, 4 figures, 1 table

Peer reviewed