Nematolampas regalis Berry, 1913

Introduction

This is a small (30 mm ML) squid that is known from only the two type specimens that were found on the beach in the Kermadec Islands.

Diagnosis

A Nematolampas ...

• with normal arms II.
• with a single photophore on each arm II.

Characteristics

1. Arms
   1. Arms III greatly elongate (only in males?).
   2. Distal half of arms III without suckers and thread-like.
   3. Arms II normal (not greatly elongate, not thread-like distally, with suckers throughout).
   
   
2. Photophores
   1. Arms III with numerous photophores imbedded in linear series.
   2. A small photophores near tip of each arms I and II.
   3. Tentacles with two imbedded photophores.
   4. Central photophore largest of ocular photophores.
   5. Pair of large photophores near posteroventral tip of mantle; otherwise photophores absent from integument of mantle, fins and head.
   6. Single postero-abdominal photophore on viscera.
   
   
3. Fins and tail
1. Tail virtually absent.

References

Arocha, F. 2003. A new species of Nematolampas (cephalopoda: Oegopsida) from the Western Central Atlantic with an overview of the family Lycoteuthidae. Bull Mar. Sci., 72: 941-953.

Berry, S. S. 1913. Nematolampas, a remarkable new cephalopod from theSouth Pacific. Biol. Bull., 25: 208-212.

Voss, G. L. 1962. A monograph of the Cephalopoda of the North Atlantic. I. The Family Lycoteuthidae. Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf Carib. 12: 264-305.