LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS AND CONDITION FACTORS OF THE HUMBOLDT SQUID (DOSIDICUS GIGAS) FROM THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN

Length-weight measurements of 1,480 specimens of the Humboldt or jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas were analyzed. Spatial coverage of databases included the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean off Baja California peninsula. This study presents a historical review of length-weight relationships for D. gigas over its entire distribution and provides baseline data on length-weight relationships with associated condition factors (relative weight and Fulton's coefficient). Results show that the jumbo squid has a predominantly positive allometric growth pattern (coefficient b, >3), and the condition factor most effective for this species was Fulton's coefficient (K). The Humboldt squid also showed strong variability in length-weight parameters and condition factors depending on the geographic region, the year or the season, the range size of the population, and/or the environmental conditions. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved in this variability as part of the phenotypic plasticity reported for Dosidicus gigas.