Magnapinna sp. B

Introduction

Magnapinna sp. B differs from all other species in the genus in its dark epidermal pigmentation. Unfortunately this squid was also badly damaged in captivity but shares the presence of slender tentacles with the other Atlantic Magnapinna spp. This species is known from a single immature male (Bergen Museum cat. no. XXXXXX), 95 mm ML captured by the R/V G.O. SARS (MAR-ECO cruise super station 46, local station 374) at 42.8°N, 29.3°W on ll July 2004.

Diagnosis:

A Magnapinna with ...

• pigmentation epithelial (ie, not in chromatophores).

Characteristics

1. Arms
1. Proximal-arms with biserial suckers.
2. Diameter of large proximal-arm suckers 0.5 mm (fleshy diameter) with smooth inner rings.
3. Distal-arms unknown due to damage.
image info

Figure. Oral and side views of large proximal-arm suckers of Magnapinna sp. B. Photograph from Vecchione and Young (submitted), modified.

2. Tentacles
1. Tentacles much narrower than adjacent arms.
2. Proximal-tentacles without suckers and without trace of aboral-lateral glandular lobes; skin missing.
3. Proximal-tentacle tapers gradually into distal-tentacle.
4. Distal-tentacle badly damaged but remnants of tiny suckers (without sucker rings) appear to be present.
image info

Figure. Ventrolateral view of the brachial crown of Magnapinna sp. B showing narrow tentacle (second appendage from top) relative to adjacent arms. Photograph from Vecchione and Young (submitted), modified.

3. Head
1. Head badly damaged.
   
   
4. Funnel
1. Funnel locking-apparatus with elongate, oval depression.
image info

Figure. Frontal view of the funnel locking-apparatus, Magnapinna sp. B. Photograph from Vecchione and Young (submitted), modified.

5. Fins
1. Fins with damaged fringes but without obvious anterior lobes.
2. Fin length about 70% of ML.
   
   
6. Pigmentation
1. moderate epidermal purple-brown pigmentation on fins and mantle.
2. Oral surfaces of arms much more darkly pigmented.
3. Chromatophores absent.
image infoimage info

Figure. Pigmentation of Magnapinna sp. B. Left - Ventral view of a portion of the mantle and fins showing the epithelial pigmentation. Photograph from Vecchione and Young (submitted), modified. Right - Oblique view of the buccal crown showing the dark pigmentation. Photograph by R. Young.

References

Vecchione, M., Young R. E. Submitted. The squid family Magnapinnidae (Mollusca; Cephalopoda) in the North Atlantic with a description of a new species.