Grimpoteuthis challengeri: Description Continued

1. Eyes
   1. Moderate size, diameter 34% of head width.
      
      
2. Funnel
   1. Funnel organ V-shaped.
      
      
3. Fins
   1. Long, fin span 59% of total length, 114% of head width.
   2. Anterior margin with distinct lobe.
      
      
4. Gills
   1. Half-orange shape but with fine lamellae.
   2. 7-8 primary lamellae/gill.
   

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   Figure. Ventral view of the mantle cavity of C. challengeri, male, 55 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).
   

5. Optic lobes and nerves
   1. Optic lobes spherical.
   2. Single optic nerve bundle passes through/by white body.
   

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   Figure. Optic lobe, optic nerve tract, white body and eye of C. challengeri, paratype, male, 55 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

6. Digestive tract
   1. Radula present, poorly developed, homodont.
   2. Small anterior salivary glands on buccal mass; posterior salivary glands absent.
   3. Esophagus two times length of intestine.
   4. Digestive gland unilobular.
   

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   Figure. Dorso-lateral view of the digestive tract of C. challengeri, paratype, male, 55  mm ML. Arrow points to anterior salivary glands. Drawing from Collins (2003).

7. Beaks
   1. Lower beak with rounded hood; wing with diagonal flexure, lateral walls without ridges or folds.
   

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   Figure. Upper (left) and lower (right) beaks of C. challengeri, paratype, male, 55 mm ML. Drawings from Collins (2003).

8. Male reproductive tract
   1. Accessory gland II small.
   2. Penis long.
   

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   Figure. Dorsal (bottom) and ventral (top) views of the male reproductive tract of C. challengeri, paratype, 55 mm ML. Drawings from Collins (2003).

9. Female reproductive tract
   1. Distal portion of oviducal gland green-brown; smaller proximal portion cream color.
   

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   Figure. Ventral view of the female reproductive tract of C. challengeri, 70 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

10. Pigmentation
    1. Entire digestive tract deeply pigmented.
    2. Skin reddish-brown in preservation.
    3. Pigmentation greater on oral and aboral surfaces of arms than on mantle.
    4. Posterior margins of fins with purple color.
       
       
11. Measurements
    1. Measurements and counts can be found here.

Comments

References

Collins, M. A. 2003. The genus Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Grimpoteuthidae) in the North-east Atlantic, with descriptions of three new species. Zool. Journ. Linnean Soc., 139: 93-127.