Sexual maturation in Eledone moschata (Cephalopoda, Octopoda) from the gulf of Gabes (Tunisia, eastern Mediterranean)

The sexual maturation of Eledone moschata is studied for the first time in the gulf of Gabes (eastern Mediterranean, Tunisia). The sex-ratio is in favour of males and this excess becomes significant during the reproduction period. Females attain sexual maturity at a mean length of 11 cm and mature males with spermatophores stored in the Needham sac belong to the size class of 9 cm ML. The reproduction season is identified by application of genito-somatic index and maturity index. It lasts from October to June (July) with a laying period from January to June for males and from March to June for females. Maturation of the population living in the gulf of Gabes is more precocious than in the area of Banyuls-sur-Mer (western Mediterranean). This difference is imputed to the temperature factor.