Galiteuthis Joubin, 1898

Galiteuthis contains five recognized species, but Voss, et al. (1992) suggests that an additional one or two species exist.

Introduction

Some species, at least, of Galiteuthis reach a large size of 660 mm ML (Nesis, 1982, suggests that they may reach a size of 2.7 m ML). Species are easily recognized by the hooks on the tentacular clubs but not the arms and the long, slender, terminal fins.

Diagnosis

A taoniin ...

• with club armature mostly in two series and consisting of large hooks.
• with long, lanceolate, terminal fins.

Characteristics

1. Tentacles
1. Tentacular clubs with large hooks.*
2. Two series of suckers and pads on distal 2/3 to 3/4 of tentacular stalk.
   image info

   Figure. Oral view of tentacular club of G. phyllura, 359 mm ML. Drawing from Young (1972).

2. Funnel
1. Funnel valve absent.
2. Funnel organ: Dorsal pad with three flattened papillae.
   
   
3. Mantle
1. Tubercles present or absent at the funnel-mantle fusion depending on species.
   
   
4. Fins
1. Fins lanceolate, terminal (see title illustration).
   
   
5. Photophores
1. Two ocular photophores: Medial photophore with crescent-shaped photogenetic region; Lateral photophore with short, slightly curved photogenetic region that lies within the concavity of the first.
2. Arm tip photophores absent.
   image info

   Figure. Lateral (left) and ventral (right) views of ocular photophores of G. glacialis, 333 mm ML. Drawing from Voss (1980, p. 393).

*Unusual within family, shared only with Mesonychoteuthis (but see condition in Taonius).

Comments

The distinctive hooks of the tentacular clubs first appear at 35-60 mm ML (Voss, et al., 1992). Characteristics are from Voss (1980).

Distribution

Members of this genus are found circumglobally in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean (Nesis, 1982).

References

Nesis, K. N. 1982/87. 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.

Voss, N. A. 1980. A generic revision of the Cranchiidae (Cephalopoda; Oegopsida). Bull. Mar. Sci., 30: 365-412.

Voss N. A., S. J. Stephen and Zh. Dong 1992. Family Cranchiidae Prosch, 1849. Smithson. Contr. Zool., 513: 187-210.

Young, R. E. 1972. The systematics and areal distribution of pelagic cephalopods from the seas off Southern California. Smithson. Contr. Zool., 97: 1-159.