Under Construction

This is an archived version of a Tree of Life page. For up-to-date information, please refer to the current version of this page.

Enoploteuthis Orbigny in Rüppell 1844

Kotaro Tsuchiya

Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

The following 10 species (E. leptura consists of two subspecies - E. l. leptura and E. l. magnoceani) are recognized in the genus.

Containing group: Enoploteuthidae

Introduction

Enoploteuthis contains the largest species in the family one, at least, can reach 130 mm ML. The species 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.

Brief diagnosis:

An enoploteuthid ...

without large, black photophores at the tips of arms IV.
with fins terminating well in advance of posterior tip of tail.

Characteristics

From Young, et al., 1998.

Arms
1. Suckers present distally on Arms IV.
Tentacles
1. Manus of club with two series of hooks; marginal suckers absent.
Buccal crown
1. Typical chromatophores on aboral surface; may have light epithelial pigmentation on oral surface.
Photophores
1. Tips of arms IV lack enlarged photophores.
2. Nine to ten photophores on eyeball.
3. Complex photophores of integument, in life, without red-colored filters.
Fins
1. Fins terminat well in advance of posterior tip of tail. (see title photograph).

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.

Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

Figure. Integumental photophores of Enoploteuthis sp., Hawaiian waters. The arrows indicate "simple" photophores, of two sizes, with dark blue centers and a narrow white ring. The remaining five, slightly larger photophores are "complex" filtered photophores that exhibit three different physiological states. 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.

Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

Figure. Ventral view of the ocular photophores (large white organs), beneath the smaller integumental photophores of Enoploteuthis sp, Hawaiian waters. The terminal ocular photophores are larger than the 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

Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

Scientific Name	Enoploteuthis sp.
Location	Atlantic off USA
Comments	Note large tail
Sex	Fresh
View	Dorsal
Copyright	© Ron Gilmer (?)

About This Page

Tokyo University of Fisheries, Tokyo, Japan

Content changed 23 April 2008

Citing this page:

Tsuchiya, Kotaro. 2008. Enoploteuthis Orbigny in Rüppell 1844. Version 23 April 2008 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Enoploteuthis/19641/2008.04.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/