Loliginidae

Loliginidae is a family of marine cephalopod mollusks in the order Myopsida, commonly known as pencil squids or inshore squids. Members are typically small to medium-sized squids with elongated mantles, paired fins along the posterior mantle, eight arms, and two longer feeding tentacles with a club and suckers. Like other squids, they have a beak, a color-changing skin, an ink sac, and an internal supportive shell called a gladius (pen). In males, a specialized arm called the hectocotylus transfers spermatophores to the female during mating.

Loliginidae species inhabit coastal and shelf waters worldwide, from temperate to tropical regions. They are primarily neritic and often form schools, though some species are more solitary. They are generally nocturnal, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and other mollusks, and many undertake diel vertical migrations between depth zones.

Reproduction and development: females lay gelatinous egg capsules that attach to substrates such as seagrasses, algae, or rocky bottoms. Eggs hatch into free-swimming paralarvae, which grow rapidly. Life spans are commonly around one year, with most individuals dying after reproduction.

Ecology and economic importance: loliginids serve as important predators and prey in coastal ecosystems. They support commercial and subsistence fisheries in many regions and are frequently targeted by coastal communities. Some species have been studied for aquaculture and stock management, while others are affected by bycatch and habitat loss.

Taxonomy: the family includes several genera, such as Loligo, Doryteuthis, and Lolliguncula, among others. Ongoing taxonomic revision reflects advances in molecular and morphological research.