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Alloteuthis media (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Mediterranean dwarf squid (Alloteuthis media) is difficult to distinguish from Alloteuthis subulata. The arms and tentacles of Alloteuthis media are relatively slender compared to Alloteuthis subulata. The two species differ most clearly in the lateral edge of the mantle, which in Alloteuthis media merges into a short, pointed tail up to 10 mm long in adults.
Females are larger than males. Sexual maturity is reached at a length of around 95 mm for females and 55 mm for males.
Alloteuthis media is more common on sandy and muddy substrates and prefers waters between 0 and 200 m depth in coastal areas and over the continental shelf, although a maximum depth of 674 m has been recorded. The dwarf squid undertakes seasonal migrations between offshore and coastal waters.
Spawning occurs continuously in the western Mediterranean. However, peak adult populations can be seen at the beginning of February, when large individuals are found at depths of 150-200 m, and in March and April they begin to migrate to shallower waters to spawn over sandy substrate. Spawning occurs to a lesser extent between Posidonia seagrass meadows. Depending on the water temperature, the squid return to deeper waters by late fall.
Alloteuthis media is usually bycatch in trawling for other species, but is marketed along with other Alloteuthis species throughout most of the Mediterranean. In the western Mediterranean, the dwarf squid is actively trawled and caught at depths of 150 to 200 meters in winter and at depths of 50 to 150 meters in spring, summer and autumn. The seasonal frequency varies greatly, but the annual fluctuations are small. Commercial interest in Alloteuthis media varies by location. The catch is marketed in both fresh and frozen form.
Synonymised names
Alloteuthis medius (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted
Loligo marmorae Vérany, 1839 · unaccepted (synonym)
Loligo parva Froriep, 1806 · unaccepted (synonym)
Loligo urceolata Risso, 1854 · unaccepted (dubious synonym)
Loligo urceolatus Risso, 1854 · unaccepted (synonym)
Sepia media Linnaeus, 1758 · unaccepted (original combination)
The Mediterranean dwarf squid (Alloteuthis media) is difficult to distinguish from Alloteuthis subulata. The arms and tentacles of Alloteuthis media are relatively slender compared to Alloteuthis subulata. The two species differ most clearly in the lateral edge of the mantle, which in Alloteuthis media merges into a short, pointed tail up to 10 mm long in adults.
Females are larger than males. Sexual maturity is reached at a length of around 95 mm for females and 55 mm for males.
Alloteuthis media is more common on sandy and muddy substrates and prefers waters between 0 and 200 m depth in coastal areas and over the continental shelf, although a maximum depth of 674 m has been recorded. The dwarf squid undertakes seasonal migrations between offshore and coastal waters.
Spawning occurs continuously in the western Mediterranean. However, peak adult populations can be seen at the beginning of February, when large individuals are found at depths of 150-200 m, and in March and April they begin to migrate to shallower waters to spawn over sandy substrate. Spawning occurs to a lesser extent between Posidonia seagrass meadows. Depending on the water temperature, the squid return to deeper waters by late fall.
Alloteuthis media is usually bycatch in trawling for other species, but is marketed along with other Alloteuthis species throughout most of the Mediterranean. In the western Mediterranean, the dwarf squid is actively trawled and caught at depths of 150 to 200 meters in winter and at depths of 50 to 150 meters in spring, summer and autumn. The seasonal frequency varies greatly, but the annual fluctuations are small. Commercial interest in Alloteuthis media varies by location. The catch is marketed in both fresh and frozen form.
Synonymised names
Alloteuthis medius (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted
Loligo marmorae Vérany, 1839 · unaccepted (synonym)
Loligo parva Froriep, 1806 · unaccepted (synonym)
Loligo urceolata Risso, 1854 · unaccepted (dubious synonym)
Loligo urceolatus Risso, 1854 · unaccepted (synonym)
Sepia media Linnaeus, 1758 · unaccepted (original combination)
