Grimpoteuthis bathynectes

Grimpoteuthis bathynectes
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Mollusca
Class:Cephalopoda
Order:Octopoda
Family:Opisthoteuthidae
Genus:Grimpoteuthis
Species: G. bathynectes
Binomial name
Grimpoteuthis bathynectes
Voss & Pearcy, 1990[2]

Grimpoteuthis bathynectes is a deepwater species of so-called Dumbo octopus first described in 1990. So far only thirteen specimens have been recorded.[3]

Description

This species appears orange in color and has two eyes.[4] They have dorsal arms with 47–58 suckers. Each sucker has a pair of cirri, which are thought to have a role in feeding, by creating currents of water that help bring food closer to their mouth or beak.[4] They feed on worms, bivalves, cope-pods and crustaceans. The male reproductive tract shows variation between species, and there is confusion identifying certain parts.[5]

Habitat

Species of this family are believed to exist on the deep ocean floor in all oceans of the world. Specific species have been found in the waters surrounding New Zealand, Australia, Monterey Bay, Oregon, Philippines, Martha's Vineyard, Papua, New Guinea and the Azores. Grimpoteuthis are benthic creatures, living basically at the bottom of the ocean at depths of around 3,000–4,000m.[4]

Video of G. bathynectes in motion

References

  1. ↑ Lyons, G.; Allcock, L. (2014). "Grimpoteuthis bathynectes". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T163299A994916. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T163299A994916.en. Downloaded on 07 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Grimpoteuthis bathynectes Voss & Pearcy, 1990". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  3. ↑ "Grimpoteuthis bathynectes". Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Finned Deep-sea Octopuses, Grimpoteuthis spp". MarinebioOrg Conservation Society. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  5. ↑ "Grimpoteuthis". tolweb.org. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
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