fairfolio
Saved Projects

Sexual Dimorphism of the Market Squid, Doryteuthis opalescens

CSEF · 2014 Zoology Fourth Award

Andrea Alexander · York School, Monterey, Monterey County

Overview

Objectives/Goals This experiment tested a method of differentiating male and female Market Squids based on the squids' mantle to arm length ratio. Methods/Materials One hundred and fifty three squids were used in this study. The mantle length and third arm length of each squid were measured manually with a standard ruler in millimeters. The squids were then dissected to determine their sexes. The collected data was then compared to see if the ratio of the two measurements alone, mantle length to arm length, showed any relationship to the sex of the given squid. Results This study showed that the computed mantle:arm length ratio means were significantly different between females and males, with 2.67 for females and 1.80 for males. Though some overlap in the data occurred, statistical analysis shows a P-value less than 0.05, and therefore the hypothesis can be accepted. In addition, the 95% confidence interval from 0.77 to 0.97 captures the difference in true mean ratio of mantle to arm length in females over males. Conclusions/Discussion There is a statistical difference between male and female market squid: female market squid will have a mantle length to arm length ratio that is greater than that of the males.

Summary statement

This project tested whether male and female Market Squids can be distinguished based on their external appearances.

Awards (1)

Competition history

  • CSEF 2014 Zoology · Entry S2202

Resources

Related projects

Closest projects by meaning, across every fair and year in the corpus.

Browse more like this

Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

Save projects to your library

Sign in with Google to keep track of projects you find interesting, organized into folders. An account also raises your daily allowance for “Has this been done?”, and lets you create a key for the MCP server with a much higher limit than anonymous use. Browsing stays public.

Continue with Google