Strange Strategies: Survival, Sex, and Parasites

Squid are known to have a wide range size-at-maturity, especially among males. Mature male squid are typically divided into two Alternative Reproductive Tactics (ART): Sneaker and Consorts. Sneakers are small males, typically smaller than mature females. They mate with females in the head-to-head position, depositing spermatophores in the buccal area. Consorts are typically larger than mature females and only mate when the females are about to lay eggs. Consorts, the larger ones, mate in the parallel position, leaving spermatophores near the oviduct opening and guard females. Previous studies have found morphological differences in the reproductive structures between ARTs. Males of the squid species I am interested in, Loligo forbesii, have an extensive range of size-at-maturity. For example, mature males have mantle lengths ranging from 81mm to 535mm. The goal of my research is to see if Loligo forbesii has morphological differences in their reproductive structures across this range of mantle lengths. These results will have implications for fisheries management and therefore the future of calamari consumption.

Blood-feeding parasites infect 24% of people worldwide. Our research studies liver fluke parasite enzymes utilizing bacteria as enzyme production factories alongside computer modelling to help develop new treatments.