Grimpoteuthis wuelkeri: Description Continued

1. Eyes
   1. Moderate size, diameter is 34% of ML.
      
      
2. Funnel
   1. Funnel organ V-shaped.
      
      
3. Fins
   1. Large, fin span 70% of total length, fin length 97% of head width.
   2. Anterior margin with distinct lobe.
      
      
4. Gills
   1. Half-orange shape.
   2. 6-7 primary lamellae/gill.
   

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   Figure. Ventral view of the mantle cavity of G. wuelkeri, female, 115 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, eye and posterior salivary gland (arrow) of G. wuelkeri, female, 115 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).
   

6. Digestive tract
   1. Radula present, poorly developed, homodont.
   2. Small anterior salivary glands on buccal mass; small posterior salivary glands posterior to brain (see arrows on drawings at left and drawing above).
   3. Esophagus two times length of intestine.
   4. Crop absent.
   5. Digestive gland unilobular.
   

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   Figure. Top - Dorsal-oblique view of the digestive tract of G. wuelkeri. Bottom - Dorsal view of brain, buccal mass, esophagus and anterior and posterior salivary glands of G. wuelkeri, female, 115 mm ML. Drawings from Collins (2003).
   

7. Beaks
   1. Lower beak with rounded hood; wings with diagonal flexure.
   2. Lateral walls without ridges or folds.
   

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   Figure. Upper (left) and lower (right) beaks of G. wuelkeri, female, 115 mm ML. Drawings from Collins (2003).
   

8. Male reproductive tract
   1. Accessory gland II larger.
   2. Penis short.
   

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   Figure. Dorsal (bottom) and ventral (top) views of the male reproductive tract of G. wuelkeri, male, 64 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).
   

9. Female reproductive tract
   1. Larger distal portion of oviducal gland with green-brown color; proximal portion cream color.
   

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   Figure. Ventral view of the female reproductive tract of G. wuelkeri,  female, 110 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).
   

10. Pigmentation
    1. Pigment lacking from oral and aboral surface in specimens preserved in Steadman's solution except for purple pigment on posterior edge of fins.
       
       
11. Measurements
    1. Measurements and counts can be found here.

Comments

The above description is from Collins, in press.

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.