Histioteuthis berryi Voss, 1969

Introduction

Histioteuthis berryi is known from 11 individuals, none of which is mature. The largest known specimen has a ML of 49 mm. Paralarval stages are unknown. The species occupies the subtropical and temperate region of the North Pacific.

Characteristics

1. Photophores
   1. Head photophores with type 2b pattern (e.g., 2 photophores in Midline Series, 4 in Basal Arm IV Row).
   2. Arms IV with 4 longitudinal series on arm base.
2. Suckers
   1. Rings on enlarged median suckers of club manus with 28-34 small, sharp, narrow teeth around entire margin.

Comments

Species of the corona-group are distinguished by the following characteristics:

1. Photophores
   1. Type 2 head-photophore pattern (e.g., 2 Midline Series photophores, 3 or 4 Basal Arm IV Row photophores and no rogue photophore) .
   2. Basal Row with 7 photophores.
   3. Right Basal Series present.
   4. Arms IV without separate series of compound photophores at arm tip.
   5. Compound photophores on anterior half of ventral mantle uniform in size.
2. Arms
   1. Suckers with smooth rings on arms I-III except at distal ends and occasionally on basal suckers.
   2. Suckers of arms IV with dentition.
3. Tubercles
   1. Absent

The following table compares differences among members of the corona-group. H. cerasina and H. corona are very similar but occupy different oceans.

Except for the analysis of head photophores, this description is from Voss (1969) and Voss, et al. (1998).

Nomenclature

Distribution

Geograpical distribution

Type locality: Off Southern California, 29°17'N, 125°41'W. H. berryi is known from 26-37°N in the central and eastern Pacific (Voss, et al., 1998).

image info

Figure. Distribution chart for H. berryi, modified from Voss, et al. (1998).

References

Voss, N. A. 1969. A monograph of the Cephalopoda of the North Atlantic: The family Histioteuthidae. Bull. Mar. Sci., 19: 713-867.

Voss, N.A., K. N. Nesis, P. G. Rodhouse. 1998. The cephalopod family Histioteuthidae (Oegopsida): Systematics, biology, and biogeography. Smithson. Contr. Zool., 586(2): 293-372.