Idiosepius paradoxus Depositing Eggs | Pygmy Squid

This is a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) depositing eggs on a blade of eelgrass (Zostera marina). The white mass to the left of the fresh eggs are eggs that were deposited earlier, not necessarily by this female. Fine grains of sand and other debris have covered the older eggs. The females seem to prefer certain blades of eelgrass. It is common to see two or more clutches on a single blade of eelgrass and none on others.

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Filename: idiosepius-paradoxus-female-depositing-eggs-japan-202104-709.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 8256x4644 / 110.0MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Squid Animalia Mollusca Cephalopoda Ideosepida Idiosepiidae Idiosepius paradoxus Northern Pygmy Squid Japanese Pygmy Squid Hime-ika Seagrass Plantae Traceophytes Alismatales Zosteraceae Zostera marina Eelgrass Amamo Reproduction Eggs Pacific Japan Yamaguchi Prefecture
Contained in galleries: Marine Life Reproduction, Cephalopods, Marine Life | Japan

This is a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) depositing eggs on a blade of eelgrass (Zostera marina). The white mass to the left of the fresh eggs are eggs that were deposited earlier, not necessarily by this female. Fine grains of sand and other debris have covered the older eggs. The females seem to prefer certain blades of eelgrass. It is common to see two or more clutches on a single blade of eelgrass and none on others.