Microsatellite DNA markers indicate a high frequency of multiple paternity within individual field-collected egg capsules of the squid Loligo pealeii

Previous behavioral observations of Loligo pealeii revealed the potential for multiple paternity within individual egg capsules, each containing 100 to 300 eggs. Five egg capsules, sampled from 3 nearshore locations over 2 yr, were tested for multiple paternity using 3 microsatellite loci. The minimum number of potential fathers was derived from the number of different alleles present in the progeny. All 5 egg capsules exhibited multiple paternity: genetic markers of at least 4 fathers were found in 2 egg capsules; at least 3 fathers were found in 1 egg capsule, and at least 2 fathers were found in the remaining 2 egg capsules.