California Sea Grant College Program

Humboldt squid have recently demonstrated a range expansion into the waters off California from the previous northern extent of their range in Mexico. In this new environment, we expected the vertical and horizontal migratory behavior and the diet to be generally similar those previously documented in Mexico. However, we also expected significant differences in diet and reproductive activity, with potentially great impacts on ecosystems in the California Current System. In particular, consumption of numerous ecologically and economically important species could greatly affect both nearshore and offshore environments and fisheries in the California Current System. We hypothesize that mechanisms driving the range expansion include tolerance of environmental variability and flexibility in diet.