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Figure. All paralarvae illustrated are 2.9 mm ML. Arrows indicate location of some of the chromatophores whose presence is diagonostic at the species or generic level. Paralarvae of other species in the family are unknown or inadequately known. Drawings modified from Young et al., 1992.
The distinctive features of Pyroteuthis addolux are:
- A series of chromatophores on the distal portion of each tentacle (see arrow in drawing). Unfortunately these are easily lost due to damage during capture.
- Small branchial photophores (smaller than the anal organs).
- Large ocular photophores.
- Few chromatophores on mantle.
The distinctive features of Pterygioteuthis giardi are:
- The large branchial photophores (equal to or larger than the anal photophores).
- The lack of chromatophores on the tentacles except at the base.
- More highly swollen tentacle base and slender distal tentacle.
The distinctive features of Pterygioteuthis microlampas are:
- Large, dark chromatophore at the base of the tentacular club.
- Small size of the ocular photophores.
- Pair of chromatophores on the ventral surface of the funnel (present only in advanced paralarvae; colored grey in the illustration to indicate its location beneath the mantle).
- Numerous chromatophores on the mantle.
