Enoploteuthis
Kotaro Tsuchiya
- Enoploteuthis anapsis
- Enoploteuthis chuni
- Enoploteuthis galaxias
- Enoploteuthis higginsi
- Enoploteuthis jonesi
- Enoploteuthis leptura
- Enoploteuthis obliqua
- Enoploteuthis octolineata
- Enoploteuthis reticulata
- Enoploteuthis semilineata
Introduction
Members of this genus are most easily recognized by their larger tail compared to members of other genera in the family. The size of the tail is emphasized by the absence of fins along its sides. This contrasts with the narrow extension of the fins along the tails of members of other genera.Characteristics
From Young, et al., 1998.- Arms
- Suckers present distally on Arms IV.
- Tentacles
- Manus of club with two series of hooks; marginal suckers absent.
- Buccal crown
- Typical chromatophores on aboral surface; may have light epithelial pigmentation on oral surface.
- Photophores
- Tips of arms IV lack enlarged organs.
- Nine to ten organs on eyeball.
- Complex organs of integument, in life, without red-colored filters.
- Fins
- Subterminal (broad tail present).
Comments
Enoploteuthis has only two clearly defined types of integumental photophores in contrast to other enoploteuthid genera which have three types of photophores on the ventral surfaces of the head, funnel and mantle. The most complex type is found in all species examined and seems to be distinctive of the genus.
image info The photomicrograph shows three small (small arrows) and two large (large arrows) "simple" photophores with dark blue centers and a narrow white ring and five, slightly larger "complex" filtered photophores that exhibit three different physiological states in the photo. The central core in these shows varying degrees of transparency. The bright spot in the core of the most transparent photophore is a reflection off the axial color filter that lies buried in the center of the organ. The small dark spots and reddish patches are chromatophores.
image info The photomicrograph shows primarily the photophores on the eyeball (large white organs) which are much larger than the integumental photophores. Note the large terminal photophores and the smaller photophores between them. Photophores in the latter group alternate between having light and dark cores. The reason for this is unknown.
References
Burgess, L. A. 1982. Four new species of squid (Oegopsida: Enoploteuthis) from the Central Pacific and a description of adult Enoploteuthis reticulata. Fish. Bull. 80: 703-734.
Young, R. E., L. A. Burgess, C. F. E. Roper, M. J. Sweeney and S. J. Stephen. 1998. Classification of the Enoploteuthidae, Pyroteuthidae and Ancistrocheiridae. Smithsonian Contr. to Zoology, 586: 239-255.
Title Illustrations
Enoploteuthis leptura, off the Bahamas, frame from a videotape recorded in situ from a submersible.
Other photos
- Enoploteuthis sp., off Hawaii, integumental photophores (photograph copyright © 1996, R. E.Young).
- Enoploteuthis sp., off Hawaii, ocular photophores (photograph copyright © 1996, R. E.Young).
