Extremely high variability in protein content of field and laboratory reared juveniles
has been a feature of previous work on tropical squid and cuttlefish (Moltschaniwskyj
and Martinez, 1998; Moltschaniwskyj and Semmens, 2000; Semmens and
Moltschaniwskyj, 2000). This experiment explicitly attempted to minimise possible
sources of variation among individuals by tracking and recording the growth and
nutritional history of each animal. However, high levels of variability in protein
concentration were just as evident in this group of experimental animals. Therefore,
ration level does not appear to be a major process in determining protein content or
variability in these cephalopods.