Squid males play a role in selecting a living space for their partners, research reveals for the first time

In the vast expanse of the world's coral reefs, a fascinating discovery has been made about the behaviour of the elusive Bigfin Reef Squid. A new study, led by biologist Sophie Dove in Egypt's Red Sea, has shed light on a previously unobserved aspect of their mating lives.

The study highlights the importance of studying cephalopod mating in the wild to gain a better understanding of their behaviour. Most of what is known about the Bigfin Reef Squid comes from aquarium studies, and it's possible that artificial environments are too simple for the animals to perform certain behaviours.

The research has revealed that male Bigfin Reef Squid show unexpected levels of investment in their offspring. Once a male has mated with a female, he stays close to prevent other males from mating with her. If the female is ready to lay her fertilized eggs, she seeks out a coral crevice protected from currents and predators. The male continues to guard her for a short time after she's finished laying eggs.

This behaviour is thought to be an example of paternal care, which is extremely rare among cephalopods. In some instances, while the female was left unattended, other males snuck in and mated with her. The male may leave his partner to clean the area, ensure it's a good substrate for the eggs, check for other males or predators, and make the location safe for the eggs.

Cephalopod expert Fernando Ángel Fernández-Álvarez finds the new study's findings surprising and believes they are accurate. Sampaio and Cheng are reaching out to other scientists to find out if bigfin reef squid elsewhere in the world practice this mating behaviour.

The challenge in studying species that live in expansive areas is getting a comprehensive and representative sample. Collaborating with other scientists could help overcome this issue. Regardless of the results of future studies, it's clear that squid and likely other cephalopods have more complex mating lives than previously imagined.

The more we learn about squid, the more we're amazed by their complexities and quirks. The Bigfin Reef Squid is found throughout the world's coral reefs, and this discovery is just the tip of the iceberg in understanding their behaviour and role in the marine ecosystem.