Ecology of Sepia officinalis
| Main Ref. | Roper, C.F.E., M.J. Sweeney and C.E. Nauen, 1984 |
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| Remarks | A neritic, demersal species found in the subtidal zone to depths of 200 m, generally over sandy-muddy substrates (Ref. 1695, page 100). Presence in Portuguese waters indicates its tolerance for brackish water. Undergoes seasonal migrations between inshore waters in spring and summer and medium shelf grounds (around 100 m depth) in autumn and winter. Courtship behavior is elaborate and ritualized with visual displays and 'mate guarding'. Spawns in shallow waters, optimally between 13° to 15°C. Eggs, 8 to 10, mm diameter and blackened with ink, are attached on seaweed, shells, debris and other substrates, in grape-like clusters. Depending on water temperature, eggs hatch after 30 to 90 days. Hatchlings measure about 7 to 8 mm TL. From hatchlings to adults, exhibit light-induced burying behavior where most individuals hide in sand during the day and where prey is often ambushed. Life cycle under natural conditions, between 12 to 24 months. Feeds on small mollusks, crabs, shrimps, other cuttlefishes, and juvenile demersal fishes. Cannibalism is common. Considered one of the most commercially important cephalopod species. With potential for aquaculture. Usually marketed fresh or frozen as a highly valued food item, especially in Japan, Korea, Italy and Spain (Ref. 1695). |
Aquatic zones / Water bodies
| Marine - Neritic | Marine - Oceanic | Brackishwater | Freshwater | |
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| Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies |
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Habitat
| Substrate | Benthic: mobile; demersal; Soft Bottom: sand; mud; |
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| Substrate Ref. | Norman, M., 2003 |
| Special habitats | Beds: sea grass; |
| Special habitats Ref. | Unsworth, R.K., L.M. Nordlund and L.C. Cullen-Unsworth, 2018 |
Associations
| Ref. | Roper, C.F.E., M.J. Sweeney and C.E. Nauen, 1984 |
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| Associations | shoaling; |
| Associated with | |
| Association remarks | |
| Parasitism |
feeding
| Feeding type | mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up) |
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| Feeding type Ref. | Carlier, A., P. Riera, J.-M. Amouroux, J.-Y. Bodiou and A. Grémare, 2007 |
| Feeding habit | hunting macrofauna (predator) |
| Feeding habit Ref. | Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.), 2005 |
Trophic Level(s)
| Estimation method | original sample | unfished population | Remark | ||
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| Troph | s.e. | Troph | s.e. | ||
| From diet composition | 4.27 | 0.69 | Troph of juv./adults. | ||
| From individual food items | 3.71 | 0.70 | Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine. | ||
| Ref. | Alves, D.M., M. Cristo, J. Sendão and T.C. Borges, 2006 | ||||