253
Chapter 15
Euprymna hyllebergi and Euprymna tasmanica
Jaruwat Nabhitabhata and Michelle K. Nishiguchi
J. Iglesias et al. (eds.), Cephalopod Culture, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8648-5_15,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
J. Nabhitabhata ()
Excellence Centre for Biodiversity of Peninsular Thailand, Faculty of Science,
Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
e-mail: jaruwat.n5@gmail.com; e-mail: jaruwat.n@psu.ac.th
M. K. Nishiguchi
Department of Biology – MSC 3AF, New Mexico State University,
PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, USA
e-mail: nish@nmsu.edu
Abstract Bobtail squids of the genus Euprymna are small in size with a benthic
habit. Such small size results in their insignificance in fisheries and aquaculture
focused for human consumption. The unique ability of the voluntary adhesion
system and symbiotic bacteria used for bioluminescence is now a primary research
focus with potential industrial and biomedical applications. Their small size is
well suited for the home aquarium with small volume. Culture of this cephalopod
group can therefore serve both research and recreational purposes. Aquaculture in
the laboratory provides valuable information for culture methodology that is utilized throughout the entire life cycle of several consecutive generations. This small
size and benthic habit of Euprymna are advantageous for small-scale closed or
open seawater culture systems. Major trends for culturing Euprymna are similar to
other cephalopod groups, particularly benthic octopus that also produce planktonic
hatchlings. Reduction of the cost of production is necessary for future large-scale
production, with novel protocols for live feed requirements of planktonic young in
the nursing phase.
Keywords Euprymna · Small size · Benthic habit · Small-scale culture · Closed
and open seawater systems · Research and recreational purposes
15.1 Importance of the Species
The Thai bobtail squid, Euprymna hyllebergi Nateewathana 1997, is a common
species occurring in the Andaman Sea of Thailand (Indian Ocean) and the Gulf
of Thailand (Pacific Ocean; Nateewathana 1997; Nateewathana et al. 2001;
Aungtonya et al. 2011). This species is small (20–40-mm mantle length, ML),
Chapter 15
Euprymna hyllebergi and Euprymna tasmanica
Jaruwat Nabhitabhata and Michelle K. Nishiguchi
J. Iglesias et al. (eds.), Cephalopod Culture, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8648-5_15,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
J. Nabhitabhata ()
Excellence Centre for Biodiversity of Peninsular Thailand, Faculty of Science,
Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
e-mail: jaruwat.n5@gmail.com; e-mail: jaruwat.n@psu.ac.th
M. K. Nishiguchi
Department of Biology – MSC 3AF, New Mexico State University,
PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, USA
e-mail: nish@nmsu.edu
Abstract Bobtail squids of the genus Euprymna are small in size with a benthic
habit. Such small size results in their insignificance in fisheries and aquaculture
focused for human consumption. The unique ability of the voluntary adhesion
system and symbiotic bacteria used for bioluminescence is now a primary research
focus with potential industrial and biomedical applications. Their small size is
well suited for the home aquarium with small volume. Culture of this cephalopod
group can therefore serve both research and recreational purposes. Aquaculture in
the laboratory provides valuable information for culture methodology that is utilized throughout the entire life cycle of several consecutive generations. This small
size and benthic habit of Euprymna are advantageous for small-scale closed or
open seawater culture systems. Major trends for culturing Euprymna are similar to
other cephalopod groups, particularly benthic octopus that also produce planktonic
hatchlings. Reduction of the cost of production is necessary for future large-scale
production, with novel protocols for live feed requirements of planktonic young in
the nursing phase.
Keywords Euprymna · Small size · Benthic habit · Small-scale culture · Closed
and open seawater systems · Research and recreational purposes
15.1 Importance of the Species
The Thai bobtail squid, Euprymna hyllebergi Nateewathana 1997, is a common
species occurring in the Andaman Sea of Thailand (Indian Ocean) and the Gulf
of Thailand (Pacific Ocean; Nateewathana 1997; Nateewathana et al. 2001;
Aungtonya et al. 2011). This species is small (20–40-mm mantle length, ML),