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Containing group: Abraliopsis

Introduction

A. pfefferi is distributed widely in the tropical to warm temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This species is a typical Abraliopsis-type having scattered arrangement of photophores on the ventral mantle and head, and carpal flaps and distinct aboral keels on clubs. This is the only known species in the Atlantic among the species group having a scattered integumental photophore-pattern and distinct manal flaps and aboral keesl on clubs, namely, A. hoylei, A. tui and A. pacificus.

Characteristics

1. Tentacle clubs
   1. Two rows of different-sized hooks on manus.
   2. Carpal flap and aboral keel distinct.
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2. Arms
   1. Arms IV relatively long; ALI IV = ca.70.
   2. Arms with 14 - 22 hooks and suckers.
3. Hectocotylus
   1. Hectocotylus with two different-sized flaps: long narrow proximal and short distal ones.
   2. Modified portion with armature.
   image info
4. Integumental Photophores
   1. Ventral mantle and head with scattered arrangement of integumental organs.

Comments

This group with a scattered integumental photophore pattern, has few taxonomic characters but each species occupies a different watermass. They are identified by some morphometric or meristic characters such as fin length index, arm length index, hook and sucker count, etc. See detailed description (under preparation).

Life history

Age and maturation

Males matured at 120-130 days and females at 150-160 days. Minimum mature age is 105 days in males, 127 days in females (Arkhipkin, 1996).

Distribution

Geographical Distribution

This species is distributed in the tropical to warm temperate Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Mediterranean Sea (Nesis, 1982/87).

References

Arkhipkin, A.I. 1996. Age and growth of the squid Abraliopsis pfefferi (Oegopsida: Enoploteuthidae) from the central-east Atlantic based on the statolith microstructure. Scientia Marina 60:325-330.

Nesis, K. N. 1982. Abridged key to the cephalopod mollusks of the world's ocean. 385+ii pp. Light and Food Industry Publishing House, Moscow. (In Russian.). Translated into English by B. S. Levitov, ed. by L. A. Burgess (1987), Cephalopods of the world. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ, 351pp.