Statolith and gladius were investigated for their suitability as tools for age and growth studies in the loliginid squid Loligo plei off southern Brazil. Statoliths when polished, revealed a series of concentric increments deposited around a nucleus. Consistent increment counts covered the squid's entire life-time and could be considered suitable for individual age estimation. Growth increments were observed on the dorsal surface as delimited by consecutive marks formed during low growth periods. Because early growth was masked during chitin deposition, total increment counts underestimated individual age. Gladius growth was highly correlated with somatic growth, and gladius increments could be used to reconstruct individual growth histories. Both statolith and gladius increments were deposited with the same, possibly daily, periodicity. It could be inferred that L. plei off southern Brazil might live up to around nine months of age.
Cephalopods; statolith; gladius; age; Loligo plei; growth
