Class CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795

Cuttlefish, Nautilus, Octopus, Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - updated (part) A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2007 - Sepiida updated by A.L. Reid, University of Wollongong, Australia

2003, 2007 - updated (part), Mark Norman, Museum Victoria, Melbourne

30 June 2000 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The Class Cephalopoda Cuvier, 1798 comprises three subclasses, Ammonoidea, Nautiloidea, and Coleoidea. All ammonoids are extinct. The Nautiloidea comprises 15 orders; only the order Nautilida is still extant, and within it only the family Nautilidae, and two genera, Nautilus and Allonautilus. All other living cephalopods belong to the Coleoidea. Extant coleoids are divided into six orders and 47 families (WoRMS, 2024). Forty-four families, represented by approximately 240 species, have been found in Australian waters.

Life histories are unknown for most cephalopods in the Australian fauna and those we know at all are fragmentary at best (Boyle 1983, 1987) and based largely on work done on relevant groups outside Australia.

Coleoid cephalopods are often described as having a live-fast-die-young lifestyle, with most species living for about a year, and a repeated spawning in a short period at the end of the individual’s, life. This knowledge of life history strategies is, however, biased toward commercially exploited epipelagic and inshore species, especially from the family of flying squids (Ommastrephidae). While this strategy may apply to many inshore species, scientific evidence is accumulating to suggest that members of most oceanic squid species do not, in fact, have a short lifespan of one year or less and repeated spawning at the end of the individual’s, life (Hoving 2012). The same is true for species that inhabit colder and, or, deep waters with consequently slower growth rates (Collins and Rodhouse 2006, Hoving et al. 2014). However, life spans generally range from a few months for tiny species to fewer than five years at most (Hanlon et al. 2018). Nautilids in aquaria are known to live 15 years or more.

Most species are semelparous, although exceptions do occur. Cephalopods are dioecious, and many species show sexual dimorphism in size or body proportions, extremes being some pelagic incirrate octopods such as Argonauta and Ocythoe in which adult males are dwarfs. Cephalopod development is direct: hatchlings of species with large eggs resemble miniature adults, and hatchlings of species with small eggs undergo only gradual change in body proportions (Young & Harman 1988; Sweeney et al. 1992). Most cephalopods are active, opportunistic carnivores. Nautilidae species, however, feed close to the bottom, and may scavenge. Coleoids prey upon crustaceans, fishes and molluscs including cephalopods. Many examples of cannibalism are known. Other prey include echinoderms and polychaetes (Nixon 1987).

Rapid growth in cephalopod fisheries has occurred worldwide in recent years. Cephalopods form only a minor component of the Australian fisheries industry at present, with most consumption consisting of squid as calamari, but recently the demand for octopus has increased leading to fully functioning fishers in Tasmania and Western Australia with developing fisheries in Victoria and South Australia. However, this is likely to change if the fin fisheries in Australia and the rest of the world continue their present collapse and continue to expand into lower trophic level species as new protein sources for vast human populations are sought. Pressure on Australian stocks will undoubtedly increase. Their management is compromised not only because of remaining gaps in our understanding of species boundaries, but also in our knowledge of cephalopod life histories and ecosystem functions. In order to manage sustainable cephalopod fisheries, there needs to be a greater understanding of population dynamics and the role of cephalopods in ecosystems. This needs to become a high research priority as relatively few such detailed studies have been undertaken on Australian species.

Population recognition and size estimates are also essential elements in the analysis of the conservation status of species under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Criteria (www.iucnredlist.org) and under the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) listing criteria for protecting species that are in international trade (www.cities.org). There is little data available on population sizes and density of Australian cephalopods to enable a preliminary baseline for such assessments.

Genetic studies of population structuring and dispersal patterns are also important areas for future research in addition to more extensive use of molecular identification tools to underpin any expansion of Australian cephalopod fisheries to be applied to questions relating to correct labelling, authenticity, traceability and import and export control.

In addition to their direct contribution to fisheries production, coleoid cephalopods play an important role in the ecology of the ocean. They are important prey for marine mammals such as toothed whales, many species of seals and seabirds, and large fishes such as tunas and sharks. In turn they consume large quantities of crustaceans, cephalopods and fishes. Their indirect importance to marine fisheries is considerable.

Traditionally, extant Coleoidea have been divided into three orders: Sepioidea, Teuthoidea, Vampyromorpha and Octopoda (G.L. Voss 1977, 1988a, 1988b). More recently, the following Orders have been recognised: Bathyteuthida, Idiosepida, Myopsida, Oegopsida, Sepiida, Sepiolida, and Spirulida in the Superorder Decapodiformes and Octopoda and Vampyromorpha in the Superorder Octopodiformes (WoRMS, 2024). All are represented in Australian waters.

Taxonomic description of coleoids from Australian waters dates back to Lesueur (1821), however, due to the lack of detailed descriptions and illustrations, these early species remain unrecognisable. Quoy & Gaimard (1832) reported the zoological results of Dumont d'Urville's voyage aboard l'Astrolabe (1826–1829) and described four species from south-eastern Australia; Gray (1849) and Hoyle (1886) both described many species from Australia. In 1892, Brazier published the first comprehensive list of Australian cephalopods, including 20 octopod species, 19 cuttlefish species, eight myopsid squid species, five oegopsid squid species and four Nautilus species.

Twentieth Century works include Berry's (1918) report on the cephalopod collections made by the F.I.S. Endeavour in south-eastern Australia between 1909 and 1914, with 13 species, eight of them new. The next major reports were those of Iredale (1926, 1940, 1954), and Cotton's (1929, 1931, 1932) studies of Australian cuttlefish, among them descriptions of 35 new species or subspecies. In 1945, Allen published the results of her studies of the planktonic cephalopod larvae from eastern Australian waters; she reported 21 species, including two new species and several new records for Australia. Adam's (1979) report on the Sepiidae in the collections of the Western Australian Museum was the next significant study. He reported the species of Sepia from Western Australia, among them three new species; he also included two species from eastern Australia.

Interest in cephalopod fisheries, and especially in squid fisheries, in Australia in the late 1970's stimulated the increased research effort on Australian cephalopods. A consequence of this increased interest and awareness of the importance of cephalopods in the marine ecosystem, resulted in active expansion of cephalopod collections in institutions. Since 1979, many papers on Australian cephalopods have been published. In 1985, Lu and Phillips published an annotated checklist of cephalopods from Australian waters, the first comprehensive checklist since Brazier's 1892 checklist. These authors listed 222 nominal species, in 35 families and 62 genera, and including four Nautilus species, 80 sepioid species, 15 myopsid squid species, 78 oegopsid squid species, 44 octopod species and the monotypic Vampyroteuthis infernalis. Many more articles on the Australian coleoid fauna have since been published.


BIOGEOGRAPHY
The Australian marine fauna is considered to comprise two distinct latitudinal elements separated by zones of intermixing. These faunal regions were designated by Wilson & Gillet (1971) as the Northern Australian Region, Southern Australian Region and Eastern and Western Overlapping zones. The Northern Australian Region is part of the Indo-west Pacific Faunal Region and is characterised by high species diversity and large numbers of species with wide distributions in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The fauna of the Southern Australian Region is characterised by low diversity and high species endemicity. The Overlap zones are long stretches of coast between the Northern and Southern Regions; there is a gradual replacement of tropical forms with temperate forms, and some local endemism (Wilson & Allen 1987).The Australian neritic coleoid fauna generally conforms to this distributional pattern.

The distributional pattern of pelagic cephalopods is less clear-cut. Although data are only preliminary, a latitudinal gradient in species diversity, such as observed in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean (Clarke & Lu 1974, 1975; Lu & Clarke 1975a, 1975b), is not evident. This impression is supported also by Nesis' (1979) interpretations of pelagic cephalopod data, upon which basis he classified the pelagic realm of the Australian-New Zealand region into equatorial, southern subtropical, peripheral, notal and Antarctic zones. Only the first four zones are present in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ)— the Antarctic zone lies outside the AFZ. The equatorial and the southern subtropical zones encompass the entire eastern, western and northern waters, while the peripheral zone encompasses the Great Australian Bight region, including Tasmania. The notal zone comes close to the south-western corner of Australia but largely lies outside of AFZ (Nesis 1979: fig. 3).

The broad distributional ranges of many species have resulted in a diffuse pattern with respect to the latitudinal gradient in species diversity. The southward flow of both the warm Leeuwin Current in the west and the warm East Australian Current in the east (see Bunt 1987) also are contributing factors. The Leeuwin Current flows eastward around Cape Leeuwin, bringing warm, tropical water to the Great Australian Bight and supporting a tropical marine fauna in the Bight (Maxwell & Cresswell 1981). The East Australian Current flows east at around 33°S, where warm-core anticyclonic eddies are formed by pinching off the East Australian Current and continue southward to as far south as 40°S. Brandt (1983) suggested that these eddies may be responsible for the large-scale patchiness in pelagic distribution in the western Tasman Sea. The eddies may carry tropical species beyond their normal range. A juvenile Spirula spirula taken in the zooplankton off south-eastern Tasmania (44°05.6'S 147°58.6'E) and juvenile Sthenoteuthis off Bass Strait (Dunning 1988c) may be examples (Lu, unpublished data).
The effects of climate change, resulting in the more southward movement of the East Australian Current is having an effect on species distributions, with paralarval cephalopods able to survive in regions beyond their former range due to increasing water temperatures. The discovery of Octopus tetricus in Tasmania is an example. This species was previously restricted to mainland Australia.


FOSSIL HISTORY
Records of Australian coleoid fossils are few. The family Bolemnidae is represented by several Dimitobelus species from the Cretaceous in South Australia (Ludbrook 1966). Fossils of Spirulirostra curta (Family Spirulirostridae) have been collected from the Muddy Creek Formation (Middle Miocene, Balcombian) in Torquay (NMV collection), and of Notosepia cliftonensis (Family Sepiidae) from the Balcombian in Dingley and Hamilton, Victoria (NMV collection). Muensterella tonii Wade of the extinct order of Kelaenida Starobogatov and fossil vampyromorphs, Boreopeltis soniae Wade and Trachyteuthis willisi Wade of the families Plesioteuthidae and Trachyteuthidae, respectively, have been reported from Queensland (Wade 1993).

Acknowledgements

The project was initially supported by a grant to C.C. Lu from the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) which is gratefully acknowledged. C.C. Lu thanks Alice Wells and Keith Houston for editorial advice for early drafts and good humour and patience during the long drawn out period of preparation and is also indebted to Malcolm Dunning who patiently read the manuscript, noted many errors and provided many suggestions.

Lu also acknowledges Curators and Collection Managers of cephalopod collections in all Australian museums, as well as Mike Sweeney of the Division of Mollusks of the Smithsonian Institution, tirelessly and patiently responded to all my requests for loans of specimens or information.

He thanks Val Hogan, Frank Job and Sandra Winchester of the Library of the Museum of Victoria who tirelessly assisted with location of many obscure references needed for the project and obtained necessary references through numerous interlibrary loans. Without their help it would have been impossible to complete the project.

Lu is indebted to my many friends and colleagues, notably, Sue Boyd, Malcolm Dunning, Robyn Ickeringill, Mandy Reid, and Chris Rowley, who have answered many requests for information on specimens or literature.

Introductory remarks for each family in this section are largely abbreviated versions of the family treatments in Chapter 13, Subclass Coleoidea, of the Fauna of Australia Volume 5. Lu thanks his good friend and colleague, Malcolm Dunning for agreeing to let him rely so heavily on the teuthid section that he authored.

In the early stages of the project, Margaret Blackburn and later Timothy Stranks were employed to enter data. Their efforts are acknowledged.

Recent edits have been made by Dr Mandy Reid based on name updates, taxonomic revisions and heavily relied on her publication ‘Cephalopods of Australia and sub-Antarctic Territories’ CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne. Julian Finn and Mark Norman have also contributed to recent updates. Some of the information, particularly regarding biology, behaviour and fisheries is now a little outdated, so researchers are referred, where possible, to more recent literature for updates.

Database Notes

The information on the Australian Faunal Directory site for the Cephalopoda is derived from the Zoological Catalogue of Australia database compiled on the Platypus software program. It incorporates a few minor changes made to the work published on 2 July 2001 as

Taxa are arranged alphabetically. Synonyms are arranged in chronological order and only those relevant to Australian records are considered.

All type specimens housed in Australian institutions have been examined for verification of data. Information on types deposited in museums outside Australia is based mostly on published data from the original publications or derived from the following type catalogues: Kristensen & Knudson (1983), Lu et al. (1995), and Sweeney & Roper (1998). Several recent publications that have been very useful and have been drawn upon heavily are Lu (1998), Lu & Dunning (1998) and Sweeney & Roper (1998).

No common names are given in this work, but common names of cephalopods are used in the Internet database, CephBase.

Minor changes were made in January 2007, following the publication, Groves et al. (2006).

Limital Area

Distribution data in the Directory is by political and geographic region descriptors and serves as a guide to the distribution of a taxon. For details of a taxon's distribution, the reader should consult the cited references (if any) at genus and species levels.

Australia is defined as including Lord Howe Is., Norfolk Is., Cocos (Keeling) Ils, Christmas Is., Ashmore and Cartier Ils, Macquarie Is., Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard and McDonald Ils, and the waters associated with these land areas of Australian political responsibility. Political areas include the adjacent waters.

Terrestrial geographical terms are based on the drainage systems of continental Australia, while marine terms are self explanatory except as follows: the boundary between the coastal and oceanic zones is the 200 m contour; the Arafura Sea extends from Cape York to 124 DEG E; and the boundary between the Tasman and Coral Seas is considered to be the latitude of Fraser Island, also regarded as the southern terminus of the Great Barrier Reef.

Distribution records, if any, outside of these areas are listed as extralimital. The distribution descriptors for each species are collated to genus level. Users are advised that extralimital distribution for some taxa may not be complete.

 

General References

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Wilson, B.R. & Gillett, K. 1971. Australian shells: illustrating and describing 600 species of marine gastropods found in Australian waters. Sydney : Reed Books 168 pp.

Young, R.E. & Harman, R.F. 1986. Early life history stages of enoploteuthid squids (Cephalopoda, Teuthoidea, Enoploteuthidae) from Hawaiian waters. Vie et Milieu 35(3/4): 181-201

Zeidler, W. & Norris, H.K. 1989. Squids, cuttlefish and octopuses (Class Cephalopoda). pp. 789-822 in Shepherd, S.A. & Thomas, I.M. (eds). Marine Invertebrates of South Australia. Part II. Adelaide : S. Aust. Gov. Print. Div.

 

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01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED

Subclass COLEOIDEA Bather, 1888


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Nine living Orders have been recognised: Bathyteuthida, Idiosepida, Myopsida, Oegopsida, Sepiida, Sepiolida, and Spirulida in the Superorder Decapodiformes and Octopoda and Vampyromorpha in the Superorder Octopodiformes (WoRMS, 2024). All are represented in Australian waters.

 

Diagnosis

Shell internal, chitinous, rarely calcareous, occasionally absent. Mantle muscular, but in deepwater forms the musculature degenerates and is replaced by gelatinous connective tissue. Chromatophores well developed and complicated. Photophores often present. Eyes large, complicated with a lens, iris, cornea, and vitreous body. Statocysts highly developed. Osphradia absent. Four or 5 pairs of muscular appendages with suckers that are often equipped with chitinous rings. Hectocotylisation affects one or two arms of the male in many species. Funnel a muscular conical tube except in deepwater species; funnel organ present. Fast-swimming forms also equipped with a funnel valve. Mantle either fused with head or funnel or joined to them by a system of cartilages. Beak strong and well developed. Radula with 7 longitudinal rows of teeth (one genus with 5 rows) in most forms. Radula reduced or absent in some planktophagous forms, mainly from deepwater. One pair of gills, 2 auricles, 2 renal sacs, and 2 branchial hearts. Ink sac present or absent. Nervous system highly developed, with a compact brain consisting of several ganglia and lobes. Stellate ganglion well developed. Nektonic forms have a system of giant nerve fibers innervating the mantle muscles. Gonad unpaired; male genital ducts generally unpaired (paired in rare cases) and in females may be paired or unpaired. Eggs small or large. (Modified from Nesis, 1982).

Five living orders are recognised: Sepiida, Sepiolida, Teuthida, Vampyromorpha, and Octopoda.

 

General References

Nesis, K.N. 1982. Cephalopods of the World. English Translation from Russian. Levitov, B.S. (Transl.), Burgess, L.A. (ed.) (1987) Neptune City : T.F.H. Publications, Inc. 351 pp. [English Translation from Russian]

 

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Superorder DECAPODIFORMES Young, Vecchione & Donovan, 1998

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Order BATHYTEUTHIDA Pfeffer, 1900

 

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Superfamily BATHYTEUTHOIDEA Pfeffer, 1900

 

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Family BATHYTEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1900

Deepsea Squids


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A. L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

 

Introduction

Members of the monogeneric family Bathyteuthidae Pfeffer, 1900 are small squid, less than 75 mm mantle length (ML)) with round or paddle-like subterminal fins. They are rarely caught, except in Antarctic waters.

Bathyteuthis was first recorded from eastern Australian waters by Lu & Phillips (1985). Worldwide six species are known (WoRMs, 2024) and one species has been recorded from Australian waters (Lu & Phillips 1985). Because so few specimens have been collected so far, no studies of life span or growth of Bathyteuthis have been undertaken in Australian waters or elsewhere and neither its diet nor predators are known.

Bathyteuthids are not vertical migrators and most specimens have been caught between 1000 and 2500 m (Roper & Young 1975). Small adult size and rarity preclude this family from commercial fisheries interest.

 

Diagnosis

Bathyteuthids have a simple, straight funnel locking cartilage and arm suckers in irregular rows. The tentacular club is small with numerous rows of minute suckers and the buccal connectives attach dorsally to the ventral arms. A single light organ is embedded at the base of each of the dorsal, dorso-lateral and lateral arms.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Bathyteuthis Hoyle, 1885


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

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31-May-2012 MODIFIED

Species Bathyteuthis abyssicola Hoyle, 1885

Bathyal Deepsea Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - updated by A. L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Heard Island, Prydz Bay.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: bathypelagic.

Paralarva: mesopelagic, predator.

Nectonic.

Extra Ecological Information

~100 to 4200 m depth, normally 700-2000 m

 

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Family CHTENOPTERYGIDAE Grimpe, 1922


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The squid of the family Chtenopterygidae Grimpe, 1922 (also incorrectly spelt Ctenopterygidae*) are small to medium sized (less than 100 mm mantle length (ML)). They are easily recognised by the long, ribbed fins which, in adults, extend the length of the mantle. The family comprises only one genus, Ctenopteryx Appellöf.

Allan's (1945) record of this genus from eastern Australian waters was the first outside the North Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. It has since been reported from tropical waters of the central and south-western Pacific by Rancurel (1970), from the north-eastern Indian Ocean by Fujita & Hattori (1976), and from off New South Wales by Brandt (1983). Lu & Phillips (1985) recorded it from the Coral and Tasman Seas.

Growth is allometric, the arms, tentacles and head all becoming relatively longer as the animal grows, while the body remains almost the same shape. The fins become relatively longer, being terminal at ML of less than 5 mm and extending the whole length of the mantle when it reaches 30 mm (Clarke 1966). With sexual maturity, male Ctenopteryx develop a large photophore within the posterior region of the body. Young (1983) concluded that the light produced, which is of a colour poorly detected by many potential predators, may be used to attract a mate.

No detailed information regarding the life history of Ctenopteryx is available from Australian waters or elsewhere. Off the New South Wales coast, larvae have been common, though not abundant in collections made during both summer and winter, suggesting that spawning is not restricted to a short season. Elsewhere, Ctenopteryx is preyed upon by lancetfish (Alepisaurus), albacore, dolphins and mesopelagic viper-fishes (Chauliodus) (Clarke 1966; Rancurel 1970; Fujita & Hattori 1976). The diet of Ctenopteryx is unknown.

Little is known regarding the vertical distribution of Ctenopteryx. Most specimens from Australian waters and elsewhere have been caught in the upper 150 m although day captures at more than 350 m have been made in the Atlantic. Roper & Young (1975) suggest that this genus inhabits near-surface waters at night. Ctenopteryx is regularly encountered off the east coast in tropical oceanic surface waters and in the East Australian Current system.

*The family name Ctenopterygidae Grimpe, 1922 is cited on the Official List of Rejected and Invalid Family-Group names in Zoology, ICZN Opinion 1793, original spelling.

 

Diagnosis

Ctenopterygids have long, ribbed fins extending the length of the mantle. The distal half of the dorsal, dorso-lateral and lateral arms bears four to six rows of suckers and the tentacular clubs bear eight to 14 rows of small suckers. The ventral arms have very few small suckers arranged in a zig-zag pattern. The funnel locking cartilage is simple and straight and the buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms. Photophores are present on the ink sac and posteriorly within the mantle in some species. Hectocotylisation in males is unknown.

 

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Genus Chtenopteryx Appellöf, 1889


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Mediterranean Sea.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Chtenopteryx sicula (Vérany, 1851)

Comb-finned Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Generic Combinations

  • Ctenopteryx siculus (Vérany, 1851).

 

Introduction

Escánez et al. (2018) compared specimens of Chtenopteryx sicula from a range of localities using molecular data and found that the taxon as currently recognised is not monophyletic. Four clades were recovered in the molecular analysis. The type locality for Chtenopteryx sicula is Messina, Sicily (Mediterranean Sea) and specimens from the Atlantic Ocean appear to conform to this species. Two other species from the Pacific Ocean have been wrongly assigned to Chtenopteryx sicula. One of these clades likely corresponds to C. sepioloides, a valid species from the Pacific Ocean and the remaining clade corresponds to a sibling species that needs to be described, Further genetic and morphological analysis is needed to determine to what species the Australian representatives of Chtenopteryx belong.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Ecological Descriptors

Mesopelagic, temperate.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Order IDIOSEPIIDA Appellof, 1898

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Family IDIOSEPIIDAE Appellöf, 1898


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

July 2001 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Idiosepiidae Appellöf, 1898 are the smallest of all cephalopods (known maximum size of mature males 17 mm, females 22 mm). The family is distributed in the Indo-west Pacific from Japan to Australia, and South Africa. It has not been reported from Atlantic waters. Nine nominal species are known in three genera. In Australian waters, Idiosepius pygmaeus Steenstrup, 1881 and I. paradoxus (Ortmann, 1888) are known from the Northern Territory and Queensland waters; the southern limit of their distributions have not been established. Idiosepius hallami Reid & Strugnell, 2018 is known to occur from southern Queensland (22° S) to southern NSW (36° S) and Xipholeptos notoides (Berry, 1921), is known from southern Australia from southern New South Wales to South Australia, including Tasmania. The latter two species are Australian endemics. Specimens of Xipholeptos from Western Australia were shown to comprise a clade distinct from the southern and eastern Australian clade in Reid and Strugnell (2018). Whether distinct species recognition is justified for the Western Australian population is yet to be determined.

The type species of the family, Idiosepius pygmaeus was first described by Steenstrup in 1881 from specimens collected in a surface net at 4°20'N 107°20'E, as well as a specimen from Zamboango. Berry (1921) reported the first Australian record of the family from South Australia, naming it Idiosepius notoides. Allan (1945) reported the presence of Idiosepius pygmaeus in Australia. Cotton and Godfrey (1940) also recorded I. paradoxus as from Australia. Lu & Phillips (1985) questioned the validity of the records for I. pygmaeus and I. paradoxus as no specimens of either were available for examination. Subsequent collections have confirmed the occurrence of both species, as well as X. notoides, in Australian waters.

This family is characterised by lack of an external shell and presence of a vestigial chitinous internal shell. A unique oval adhesive organ present on the dorsal surface of the mantle is used by the animal to attach itself to seaweed or seagrass blades. This glandular organ is located chiefly in the integument layer; its external surface is uneven with irregularly arranged furrows and pits. Adhesion of the animal is achieved by a sticky substance secreted by the organ (Sasaki 1923, Byern et al. , 2008).

Idiosepids are commonly found in seagrass beds where they attach to the undersides of leaves. In Japan, I. paradoxus was found to feed chiefly on gammalid amphipods as large as its own body (Sasaki 1929). The predator bites the back of the prey just at the point where the heart is located. The animal is able to extend its buccal mass to as long as its first arm, and move it freely in all directions. By doing so, it can eat out the soft flesh of the prey without the external chitinous skin being broken.

Natsukari (1970) reported on the egg-laying behaviour and embryonic development of Idiosepius paradoxus in western Japan. A female laid eggs once or twice at three day intervals and can lay 25 to 64 eggs in total. One or two days after the final egg-laying, the female died. In captivity, in glass jars, the female adhered upside-down to the bottom of the jar. She ejected eggs one at a time from the funnel, receiving the egg in her arms. She then positioned herself by grasping the bottom with the dorsal three pairs of arms and stuck the egg to the bottom, using her tentacles. After sticking an egg, she slid backwards by hard flapping of her fins and repeated the egg laying process, taking about 30 seconds each time. The egg is elliptical in shape, measuring 0.87–0.91 mm in length and 0.67–0.72 mm in width. The incubation period of the eggs is 15–17 days at an ambient water temperature of 18.5–22.6°C.

English (1981) reported that an aquarium-kept Idiosepius species from the Sydney area, laid eggs on the side wall of the tank beneath pieces of aquarium tubing, or on the undersides of seagrass leaves. She suggested that under natural conditions, this species of Idiosepius (likely I. hallami lays its eggs on hard substrata such as bivalve shells or the undersides of blades of seagrass. The main breeding period is reported to be through the spring and summer; the life span is reported to be approximately 12–15 months.

Jackson (1986) studied Idiosepius from northern Queensland and confirmed the occurrence of both I. pygmaeus and I. paradoxus in the Townsville area. Adults of Idiosepius paradoxus are planktonic while those of I. pygmaeus have a more nektonic life. The two species show some degree of niche separation. Idiosepius pygmaeus has adapted to an estuarine existence while I. paradoxus has successfully established in the continental shelf plankton community. Studies on Idiosepius pygmaeus in the tropical water of Australia show that it has faster growth rates and shorter life spans than I. paradoxus: males mature as young as 42 days old and females as young as 60 days. The greatest ages recorded for individuals were 67 days for males and 79 days for females (Jackson 1988; Jackson & Choat 1992).

Other references to the biology and behaviour of Idiosepiidae are cited in Reid (2016), Reid & Strugnell (2018) and Reid et al. 2023.

 

Diagnosis

The mantle is elongate, slightly pointed at the posterior end. An oval attachment organ is located on the dorsal surface of the mantle. The fins are small and kidney-shaped, and are attached laterally at the posterior end of the mantle, at a slightly oblique angle in relation to the longitudinal body axis. The anterior edge of the mantle is not fused with the head. The head is prominent with large, bulbous eyes that are covered by a cornea. The nuchal cartilage is lacking. The funnel-mantle locking cartilage is peg-like in all except the southern Australian species, Xipholeptos notoides, which has a simple, straight cartilage. The arms are short with two rows of suckers. The tentacles are slender, short and retractile. The tentacular clubs are not expanded, with two to four rows of suckers. Both ventral arms of mature males are hectocotylised. The modification involves loss of suckers on most of the arms and the tip of left ventral arms become bilobed.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Berry, S.S. 1921. A review of the cephalopod genera Sepioloidea, Sepiadarium and Idiosepius. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 1: 347-364

Byern,J. von, Rudoll, L., Cyran, N. & Klepal, W. 2008. Histochemical characterization of the adhesive organ of three Idiosepius spp. species. Biotechnic and Histochemistry 83: 29-46

Cotton, B.C. & Godfrey, F.K. 1940. The Molluscs of South Australia. Part 2. Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda, Aplacophora and Crepipoda. Adelaide : Government Printer 600 pp.

English, S.A. 1981. The biology of two species of estuarine cephalopods from the Sydney region. Unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Sydney, Sydney 125 pp.

Hylleberg, J. & Nateewathana, A. 1991. Redescription of Idiosepius pygmaeus Steenstrup, 1881 (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae), with mention of additional morphological characters. Phuket Marine Biological Center, Research Bulletin 55: 33-42

Jackson, G.D. 1986. A biological and ecological survey of the planktonic Cephalopoda in the waters of the central Great Barrier Reef Region with emphasis on the biology and ageing of the sepioid Idiosepius pygmaeus. Unpublished BSc (Hons) Thesis, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville 87 pp.

Jackson, G.D. 1988. The use of statolith microstructures to analyze life-history events in the small tropical cephalopod Idisepius pygmaeus. United States Department of Agriculture. Cooperative Economic Insect Report 87: 265-272

Jackson, G.D. & Choat, J.H. 1992. Growth in tropical cephalopods: an analysis based on statolith microstructure. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences [formerly Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada] 49(2): 218-228

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Natsukari, Y. 1970. Egg-laying behaviour, embryonic development and hatched larva of the pygmy cuttlefish, Idiosepius pygmaeus paradoxus Ortmann. Bulletin of the Faculty of Fisheries, Nagasaki University 30: 15-29

Reid, A. 2016. Cephalopods of Australia and Sub-Antarctic Territories. Clayton South, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing pp. 446.

Reid, A., Sato, N., Jolly, J. & Strugnell, J. 2023. Two new pygmy squids, Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp. and Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp. from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Marine Biology 170 167

Reid, A.L. & Strugnell, J.M. 2018. A new pygmy squid, Idiosepius hallami n. sp. (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) from eastern Australia and elevation of the southern endemic ‘notoides’ clade to a new genus, Xipholeptos n. gen. Zootaxa 4369(4): 451-486

Sasaki, M. 1923. On an adhering habit of a pygmy cuttlefish, Idiosepius pygmaeus Steenstrup. Annotationes Zoologicae Japonenses 10(21): 209-213

Sasaki, M. 1929. A monograph of the dibranchiate cephalopods of the Japanese and adjacent waters. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido Imperial University 20(Suppl.): 1-357 30 pls

Steenstrup, J.J. 1881. Sepiadarium og Idiosepius to nye slaegter af Sepiernes familie. Med Bemaerkninger om de to beslaegtede former Sepioloidea d'Orb. og Spirula Lamarck. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes. Selskabs Skrifter. Kjøbenhavn 6: 213-242

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Idiosepius Steenstrup, 1881


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific region.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

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07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 07-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Idiosepius hallami Reid & Strugnell, 2018

Hallam’s Pygmy Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 17-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
IDIOSEPIIDAE 16-May-2018 ADDED

Species Idiosepius paradoxus (Ortmann, 1888)

Northern Pygmy Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Generic Combinations

  • Idiosepius paradoxus (Ortmann, 1888).

 

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, tropical.

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [129] (Northern Pygmy Squid)

 

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 17-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 06-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Idiosepius pygmaeus Steenstrup, 1881

Two-tone Pygmy Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, temperate, tropical.

 

General References

Jackson, G.D. 1988. The use of statolith microstructures to analyze life-history events in the small tropical cephalopod Idisepius pygmaeus. United States Department of Agriculture. Cooperative Economic Insect Report 87: 265-272 (growth)

Jackson, G.D. 1992. Seasonal abundance of the small tropical sepioid Idiosepius pygmaeus (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) at two localities off Townsville, north Queensland, Australia. Veliger 35(4): 396-401 (abundance)

Jackson, G.D. 1993. Seasonal variation in reproductive investment in the tropical loliginid squid Loligo chinensis and the small tropical sepioid Idiosepius pygmaeus. United States Fisheries Bulletin 91: 260-270 (reproduction)

Jackson, G.D. & Choat, J.H. 1992. Growth in tropical cephalopods: an analysis based on statolith microstructure. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences [formerly Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada] 49(2): 218-228 (growth)

Lewis, A.R. & Choat, J.H. 1993. Spawning mode and reproductive output of the tropical cephalopod Idiosepius pygmaeus. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences [formerly Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada] 50(1): 20-28 (reproduction)

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 [28] (Australian distrbution)

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [129] (biology)

Reid, A.L. & Strugnell, J.M. 2018. A new pygmy squid, Idiosepius hallami n. sp. (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) from eastern Australia and elevation of the southern endemic ‘notoides’ clade to a new genus, Xipholeptos n. gen. Zootaxa 4369(4): 451-486 [469, Table 5]

Robson, G.C. 1928. Céphalopodes des mers d'Indochine. Notes. Station Maritime de Cauda 10: 1-53 (Australian distribution)

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [129] (Two-tone Pygmy Squid)

 

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Xipholeptos Reid & Strugnell, 2018


Compiler and date details

2024 - A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 26-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Xipholeptos notoides (Berry, 1921)

Southern Pygmy Squid

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, marine, temperate.

 

History of changes

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 27-Jul-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Order MYOPSIDA


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The suborder Myopsida comprises two families; the monotypic Australiteuthidae and the speciose Loliginidae. Both families are recorded from Australian waters.

 

Diagnosis

Eyes covered by a transparent membrane (cornea), except for a tiny hole, the 'lacrimal pore'. Mantle muscular. Buccal connectives seven-pointed and connect to the ventral arms on the ventral border. Left oviduct only developed. Paired, nidamental glands and accessory nidamental glands present. One or both ventral arms hectocotylised.

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Family AUSTRALITEUTHIDAE Lu, 2005


Compiler and date details

2012 - Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 26-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
TEUTHIDA 08-May-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Genus Australiteuthis Lu, 2005


Compiler and date details

2012 - Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Distribution References

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Species Australiteuthis aldrichi Lu, 2005

Aldrich's Australasian Inshore Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

  • Type data:
     Holotype NTM P12300 ♂ (21.3 mm), Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, W.A. [14°07.30'S, 128°02.00'E].
    Paratype(s) NTM P12301 ♀ (26.7 mm), 3 km north of Lee Point, Darwin, N.T. [12°18.0'S, 130°54.0'E]; NTM P12302 ♂ (19.4 mm), Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, W.A. [135.2'S, 128°6.6'E]; NMV F91353 ♀ (25.5 mm), Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, W.A. [14°07.30'S, 128°02.00'E]; NMV F91354 ♂ (23.0 mm), Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, W.A. [14°07.30'S, 128°02.00'E]; NMV F74480 ♂ (17.3 mm), Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, W.A. [14°08'S, 128°34'E]; AM C131800 ♀ (27.6 mm), Kerema Bay, Gulf of Papua, New Guinea [7°57'S, 145°48'E].

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Currently known from Western Australia, Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and inshore waters of the Northern Territory


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Distribution References

History of changes

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TEUTHIDA 08-May-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Family LOLIGINIDAE Lesueur, 1821


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Loliginidae d’Orbigny, 1839 are characterised by a transparent cornea covering the eyes. They are common in inshore waters worldwide. Some 42 nominal species are known, referred to 10 genera: Loligo Lamarck, 1798; Sepioteuthis Blainville, 1824; Lolliguncula Steenstrup, 1881; Loliolus Steenstrup, 1856; Doryteuthis Naef, 1912; Alloteuthis Wülker, 1920; Uroteuthis Rehder, 1945; Pickfordiateuthis Voss, 1953; Heterololigo Natsukari, 1984 and Afrololigo Brakoniecki, 1986. The generic level classification, however, remains unstable. Six species in three genera are known from Australian waters, but some of the ‘species’ are now considered to involve several cryptic species (Yeatman & Benzie 1993; Hall personal communication).

Loliginids were first reported from Australian waters by Quoy & Gaimard (1832) who described Sepioteuthis australis and S. bilineata from Westernport Bay, Victoria. Another species, Loligo australis, was described by Gray (1849) from Newcastle, New South Wales; the description is brief and the type specimen has deteriorated to the point that the name cannot be applied with certainty to any loliginid in the area. Loligo etheridgei, described by Berry (1918) from an unknown locality in southern Australia, was regarded by Natsukari and Okutani (1975) as a junior synonym of Loligo chinensis. However, it is now known that Loligo chinensis and Loligo etheridgei are not found in Australian waters.

Lu & Tait (1983) reviewed Australian Sepioteuthis, concluding that only two species, S. lessoniana and S. australis, occur in Australian inshore waters. Lu et al. (1985) described a species from Australia in Loliolus, L. noctiluca, and reviewed the taxonomy of the genus, and Vecchione et al. (1998) suggested that L. notiluca should be assigned to Uroteuthis (Photololigo) rather than Loliolus. Yeatman & Benzie (1993) and Yeatman (1994) reported on taxonomic problems among the remaining Australian loliginids. Work is currently underway to resolve these issues.

Various loliginid species inhabit the shelf and upper slope of the world's oceans, but in none are found in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In Australasian waters, Loliolus noctiluca is endemic and known only from the inshore waters of eastern Australia including Tasmania, and the Gulf of Carpentaria, to the Gulf of Papua (Lu et al. 1985). Sepioteuthis australis is known only from southern Australia and northern New Zealand (Lu & Tait 1983). Sepioteuthis lessoniana, a widely distributed Indo-west Pacific species, is known from northern Australia. Several species of Loligo (= Photololigo of Natsukari) occur in northern Australian waters.

Loliginid squids eat a wide range of food species, including crustaceans, polychaetes, fishes and cephalopods. The Californian species, Loligo opalescens, preys on euphausiids, calanoid copepods, cumanaceans, mysids, shrimps, anchovy and squids (Karpov & Cailliet 1978; Fields 1965). Fields (1965) and Karpov & Cailliet (1978) described differences in food preferences of Loligo opalescens associated with growth, habitat, sex and sexual maturity. Similarly, Vovk (1972) reported that smaller Loligo pealei eat crustaceans (euphausiids and decapods) but when larger, eat fish and other squids.

Loliginids in turn are preyed upon by many vertebrates such as fishes, seabirds and marine mammals. Loligo opalescens, in Monterey Bay, was taken by 19 fish species, 13 seabird species and eight marine mammal species (Morejohn et al. 1978). Loligo vulgaris was eaten by cetaceans, sharks, tunas and seabirds (Worms 1983). In Australian waters, Sepioteuthis australis has been found in the stomach contents of the pilot whale, Globicephala melas, and the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Gales et al. 1992), as well as the Australian fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus (Gales et al. 1994).

Mating behaviour and other aspects of reproduction in Loliginidae have been studied in many non-Australian species. Arnold (1962, 1965) reported that in Loligo pealei and Sepioteuthis sepioidea, males and females form pairs, the male pursuing the female and protecting her from other males. The courting is initiated by an aggressive male who selects a female and swims parallel to her, displaying his courtship colour pattern. The female typically shows little initial response. Later, the female responds by swimming parallel to the male, displaying her own courtship pattern. Similar courting behaviour has been observed in Sepioteuthis lessoniana in Japan (Segawa 1987) and Loligo opalescens in California (Hurley 1977).

Two mating postures have been observed in Loligo pealei. A head-to-head posture culminates in the transfer of spermatophores to the buccal seminal receptacle of the female (Drew 1911; Arnold 1962). A second posture involves the mating pair aligning parallel to each other, the male grasping the female around the mantle behind the head. The male then inserts its hectocotylised arm into its mantle cavity, picks up the spermatophores and transfers them to the female by way of her funnel, then cements them to the inside of her mantle near the oviduct (Arnold 1962).

In Loligo opalescens, the male copulates with the female by grasping her from below and inserting his right ventral arm into the female mantle cavity. The right arm is then withdrawn as the hectocotylised left ventral arm carrying spermatophores is inserted in its place (Hurley 1977). The head-to-head position of mating also occurs in this species (Fields 1965). Mating behaviour in Sepioteuthis lessoniana is similar that described above except that the head-to-head posture has not been observed (Segawa 1987).

Spawning in loliginids involves the passage of eggs from the oviduct out through the funnel. The eggs are enveloped in the secretion from the oviducal and nidamental glands. The number of eggs per egg capsule varies with species. The relatively long egg capsules of Loligo opalescens (length 6.0–9.0 cm) contain on average 156 eggs each (Yang et al. 1986). In Sepioteuthis sepioidea each capsule contains only two to four eggs (LaRoe 1971). Similarly, S. lessoniana has only two to nine eggs in each capsule (Choe & Oshima 1961) and S. australis (as S. bilineata) of New Zealand has two to six eggs per capsule (Larcombe & Russell 1971). In southern Australia, this last species also has capsules containing up to six eggs (Smith et al. 1989). An egg mass is made up of many egg capsules.

Egg laying in Loligo pealei is stimulated visually. The presence of a naturally laid egg mass or an artificial egg mass made of water-filled polyethylene tubing was found to induce animals to produce egg capsules; several females often contribute to the same egg mass (Arnold 1962). Several individuals of Sepioteuthis australis have also been observed laying eggs on the same egg mass (Larcombe & Russell 1971). Females of Loligo opalescens die after spawning, resulting in a mass mortality in the spawning area (Fields 1965); this phenomenon has not been observed in other species.

Most loliginids studied have been found to be fast growing and short lived. Fields (1965) estimated that Loligo opalescens spawn and die at three years of age. He also inferred that males have a life span of between one and four years with the majority living about three years. From growth rings in the statoliths, Spratt (1978) estimated the life span to be about one to two years. Laboratory rearing indicates that Loligo opalescens is capable of spawning at one year of age (Hixon 1983).

Based on his study of the growth rings in statoliths, Jackson (1990a) concluded that in the tropical waters of North Queensland, Sepioteuthis lessoniana reaches sexual maturity in less than 100 days; all the specimens studied (75–213 mm and 75–184 mm ML for males and females, respectively) were less than six months old. Tetracycline staining techniques indicated that, under laboratory conditions, daily growth rings are formed in Sepioteuthis lessoniana, Loligo chinensis and Loliolus noctiluca (Jackson 1990a, 1990b). These two species reach adult size in less than 200 days (Jackson & Choat 1992). Jackson (2004) summarised the results of extensve growth and life history studies and concluded that validation studies on loliginids continue to support the assumption that statolith increments are laid down daily (although not all researchers agree with this view (see Hunt et al.2011.

The monophyly of the loliginids is well-supported (e.g. Anderson (2000) but systermatics within the Loliginidae remains problematic.

 

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

LOLIGINIDAE: Loligo australis Gray, 1849 — Gray, J.E. 1849. Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British Museum. 1. Cephalopoda Antepedia. London : British Museum (Natural History) 164 pp. [71] (type data: Holotype BMNH 1947.3.19.2, Newcastle, NSW); Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 [28] (considered as nomen dubium); Lu, C.C. 2001. Cephalopoda. pp. 129-308 in Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 17.2 Mollusca: Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 353 pp. [Date published 3 July 2001] [212] (Loligo australis was described by Gray (1849) from Newcastle, New South Wales; the description is brief and the type specimen has deteriorated to the point that the name cannot be applied with certainty to any loliginid in the area)

LOLIGINIDAE: Loligo Schneider, 1784 — Jereb, P., Vecchione, M. & Roper, C.F.E. 2010. Family Loliginidae. pp. 38-117 in Jereb, P. & Roper, C.F.E. (Eds). Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 pp. 1-605. [40] (the genus Loligo is restricted to the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea)

 

Diagnosis

Loliginids are characterised by having the eyes covered by a transparent corneal membrane. The paired locking apparatus is straight and simple. Each of the seven buccal lappets carries a few small suckers, and the buccal connectives attach on the ventral borders of the ventral arms.

The mantle is elongate with the posterior end tapered. The fins are oval, elongate-rhomboidal or heart-shaped, located either on the posterior end of the mantle or marginally on the mantle. The fin lengths range from about half the mantle length to almost equal length. The arms are equipped with two rows of suckers. The tentacles are not retractile and have four rows of suckers on the tentacular club. In mature males, the left ventral arm is hectocotylised, except in Lolliguncula, which has both ventral arms hectocotylised. The shells (gladius) are quill-shaped, leaf-shaped or long, slender with conus long; some sexual dimorphism is apparent in the gladius of some species, the female having the gladius wider than the male.

 

General References

Adam, W. 1939. Céphalopoda. 1e Partie. Le genre Sepioteuthis Blainville, 1824. Siboga-Expéditie Report 55: 1-33 l pl.

Anderson, F.E. 2000. Phylogeny and historical biogeography of the loliginid squids (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) bases on mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 15(2): 191-214

Arnold, J.M. 1962. Mating behaviour and social structure in Loligo pealei. Biological Bulletin. Marine Biological Laboratory (Woods Hole) 123(1): 53-57

Arnold, J.M. 1965. Observations on the mating behaviour of the squid Sepioteuthis sepioidea. Bulletin of Marine Science 15(1): 216-222

Berry, S.S. 1918. Report on the Cephalopoda obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour in the Great Australian Bight and other southern Australian localities. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4: 203-298 pls 59-88

Choe, S. & Ohshima, Y. 1961. On the embryonal development and the growth of the squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana Lesson. Venus 21(2): 462-476 [Japanese Journal of Malacology]

Drew, G.A. 1911. Sexual activities of the squid Loligo pealei I. Journal of Morphology 22: 327-360

Fields, W.G. 1965. The structure, development, food relations, reproduction, and the life history of the squid Loligo opalescens Berry. Fisheries Bulletin, California Department of Fish and Game 131: 1-108

Gales, R., Pemberton, D., Clarke, M. & Lu, C.C. 1992. Stomach contents of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tasmania. Marine Mammal Science 8(4): 405-413

Gales, R., Pemberton, D., Lu, C.C. & Clarke, M.R. 1993. Cephalopod diet of the Australian fur seal: variation due to location, season and sample type. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 44: 657-671

Gray, J.E. 1849. Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British Museum. 1. Cephalopoda Antepedia. London : British Museum (Natural History) 164 pp.

Hixon, R.F. 1983. Loligo opalescens. pp. 95-114 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 1. Species Accounts. London : Academic Press xvii 474 pp.

Hunt, K,V., Steer, M.A., & Gillanders, B.M 2011. Validating age in southern calamary (Sepioteuthis australis) over seasonal and life history extremes. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 91(4): 857-863

Hurley, A.C. 1977. Mating behaviour of the squid Loligo opalescens. Marine Behaviour and Physiology 4: 195-203

Jackson, G.D. 1990. Age and growth of the tropical nearshore loliginid squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana determined from statolith growth-ring analysis. United States Fisheries Bulletin 88: 113-118

Jackson, G.D. 1990. The use of tetracycline staining techniques to determine statolith growth ring periodicity in the tropical loliginid squids Loliolus noctiluca and Loligo chinensis. Veliger 33(3): 389-393

Jackson, G.D. 2004. Advances in defining the life histories of myopsid squid. Marine and Freshwater Research 55(4): 357-365

Jackson, G.D. & Choat, J.H. 1992. Growth in tropical cephalopods: an analysis based on statolith microstructure. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences [formerly Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada] 49(2): 218-228

Karpov, K.A. & Cailliet, G.M. 1978. Feeding dynamics of Loligo opalescens. Fisheries Bulletin, California Department of Fish and Game 169: 45-66

Larcombe, M.F. & Russell, B.C. 1971. Egg laying behaviour of the broad squid, Sepioteuthis bilineata. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 5(1): 3-11

LaRoe, E.T. 1971. The culture and maintenance of the loliginid squids Sepioteuthis sepioidea and Doryteuthis plei. Marine Biology, Berlin 9: 9-25

Lu, C.C., Roper, C.F.E. & Tait, R.W. 1985. A revision of Loliolus (Cephalopoda; Loliginidae), including L. noctiluca, a new species of squid from Australian waters. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 97: 59-85

Lu, C.C. & Tait, R.W. 1983. Taxonomic studies on Sepioteuthis Blainville (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) from the Australian region. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 95: 181-204

Morejohn, G.V., Harvey, J.T. & Krasnow, L.T. 1978. The importance of Loligo opalescens in the food web of marine vertebrates in Monterey Bay, California. Fisheries Bulletin, California Department of Fish and Game 169: 67-98

Natsukuri, Y. & Okutani, T. 1975. Taxonomic and morphological studies on the loliginid squids. 1. Identity of Loligo chinensis Gray, 1849. Redescription of the type specimen and taxonomic review. Venus 34: 83-91

Quoy, J.R.C. & Gaimard, J.P. 1832. Mollusques. pp. 1–320 in, Zoologie du voyage de l'Astrolabe sous les ordres du Capitane Dumont d'Urville, pendant les années 1826–1829. Zoologie. 2 vols Paris : J. Tastu, Editeur-Imprimeur.

Segawa, S. 1987. Life history of the oval squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana in Kominato and adjacent waters Central Honshu, Japan. Journal of the Tokyo University of Fisheries [formerly Journal of the Tokyo College of Fisheries] 74(2): 67-105

Smith, B.J., Black, J.H. & Shepherd, S.A. 1989. Molluscan egg masses and capsules. pp. 841-891 in Shepherd, S.A. & Thomas, I.M. (eds). Marine Invertebrates of Southern Australia. Part II. Adelaide : S. Aust. Gov. Print. Div.

Spratt, J.D. 1978. Age and growth of the market squid Loligo opalescens Berry, in Monterey Bay. Fisheries Bulletin, California Department of Fish and Game 169: 35-44

Vecchione, M., Brakoniecki, T.F., Natsukari, Y. & Hanlon, R.T. 1998. A provisional generic classification of the family Loliginidae. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 586: 215-222

Vovk, A.N. 1972. Feeding habits of the North American squid Loligo pealei Les. Trudy Atlanticheskii Nauchno-Issledovatel'skii Institut Rybnogo Khozyaistva i Okeanografii 42: 141-151 [English transl., Fish. Mar. Serv., Can., Transl. Ser. No. 3304]

Worms, J. 1983. Loligo vulgaris. pp. 143-157 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 1. Species Accounts. London : Academic Press xvii 474 pp.

Yang, W.T., Hixon, R.F., Turk, P.E., Krejci, M.E., Hulet, W.H. & Hanlon, R.T. 1986. Growth, behaviour, and sexual maturation of the market squid, Loligo opalescens, cultured through the life cycle. Fisheries Bulletin 84(4): 771-798

Yeatman, J. 1994. Genetic and morphological aspects of Australian Photololigo spp. (Loliginidae: Cephalopoda). Unpublished PhD Thesis, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia 279 pp.

Yeatman, J. & Benzie, J.A.H. 1993. Cryptic speciation in Loligo from northern Australia. pp. 641-652 in Okutani, T., O'Dor, R.K. & Kubodera, T. (eds). Recent Advances in Cephalopod Fisheries. Tokyo : Tokai Univ. Press.

 

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 15-May-2023 MODIFIED
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Sepioteuthis Blainville, 1824


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A.L. Reid, CSIRO.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

Two of the woeld's three nominal species are found in Australian waters: Sepioteuthis australis and Sepioteuthis lessoniana. Based on allozyme studies, cryptic species have been detected among both species (Triantafillos & Adams 2001, 2005).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Indian and Pacific oceans.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 04-May-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
09-May-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepioteuthis australis Quoy & Gaimard, 1832

Southern Calamari Squid, Southern Reef Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Southern Australia from Western Australia, Dampier to Queensland, Moreton Bay


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: coastal, continental shelf, nectonic, predator, temperate.

Paralarva: coastal, continental shelf, planktonic, temperate.

Coastal, predator.

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [144] (Southern Reef Squid)

 

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
07-Nov-2013 MODIFIED

Species Sepioteuthis lessoniana Férussac in Lesson, 1830

Bigfin Reef Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: coastal, continental shelf, nectonic.

Paralarva: coastal, neritic, planktonic.

Coastal, neritic.

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 16-Sep-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Uroteuthis Rehder, 1945

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 18-Dec-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
TEUTHIDA 09-May-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Subgenus Uroteuthis (Aestuariolus) Alexeyev, 1992


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
TEUTHIDA 09-May-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Species Uroteuthis (Aestuariolus) noctiluca (Lu, Roper & Tait, 1985)

Luminous Bay Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Estuary, inshore, predator.

 

History of changes

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09-May-2012 TEUTHIDA 09-May-2012 MOVED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Subgenus Uroteuthis (Photololigo) Natsukari, 1984

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

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TEUTHIDA 09-May-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Species Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii (d'Orbigny (in Férussac & d'Orbigny), 1835)

 

Generic Combinations

 

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Species Uroteuthis (Photololigo) singhalensis (Ortmann, 1891)

 

Generic Combinations

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Distribution References

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Species Uroteuthis (Photololigo) sp. 2 Hall, unpub.

Swordtip Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Introduction

This taxon is a species-complex currently under review (pers. comm. Karina Hall May 2023). It is listed as Uroteuthis (Photololigo) 'edulis' (Hoyle, 1885) (species-complex) in Reid (2016). However, it is currently being described as a distinct 'chinensis-like' species. Uroteuthis (Photololigo) edulis (Hoyle, 1885) does not occur in Australian waters. Note that the images on p. 55 of Reid (2016) are not Uroteuthis (Photololigo) 'edulis', but are sp. 4 Hall, unpub..

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Juvenile: planktonic.

Continental shelf, epipelagic.

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [147] (Swordtip Squid)

 

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 15-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
09-May-2012 TEUTHIDA 09-May-2012 MOVED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Uroteuthis (Photololigo) sp. 4 Hall, unpub.

Mitre Squid


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated by A. L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

This taxon is a species-complex currently under review (pers. comm. Karina Hall May 2023). It is listed as Uroteuthis (Photololigo) 'chinensis' (Gray, 1849) (species-complex) in Reid (2016). However, it is currently being described as a distinct 'edulis-like' species. Uroteuthis (Photololigo) chinensis (Gray, 1849) does not occur in Australian waters. Note that the images on p. 55 of Reid (2016) refer to this species and not Uroteuthis (Photololigo) 'edulis'.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern, western and eastern Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Continental shelf, subtropical, tropical.

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 15-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
09-May-2012 TEUTHIDA 09-May-2012 MOVED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Order OEGOPSIDA d'Orbigny, 1845


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The Teuthida order, Oegopsida, is represented by 22 families in Australia waters, including the Australian Antarctic Territories.

Fernández-Álvarez et al. (2022) revised the systematics of the order based on complete mitogenomes and the nuclear 18S and 28S ribosomal genes. One Australian species, Teuthowenia pellucida (Chun, 1910) (Cranchiidae), from the Indian Ocean, 35.18°S,130.69°E was included in the study.

 

Diagnosis

Eyes opened without cornea, in direct contact with sea water. Mantle may be muscular or semigelatinous. Buccal connectives six-, seven- or eight-pointed and connect to ventral arms on either dorsal or ventral border. Funnel locking-cartilage may be simple or complex and modified, or may be fused with mantle. Oviducts both developed. Paired nidamental glands present except in Enoploteuthinae. Accessory nidamental glands absent. Hectocotylisation affects one or both ventral arms, or absent altogether.

 

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16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 12-May-2022 MODIFIED
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Superfamily ARCHITEUTHOIDEA Pfeffer, 1900

  • ARCHITEUTHOIDEA Pfeffer, 1900.

 

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Family ARCHITEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1900

Giant Squids


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

The giant squid family Architeuthidae Pfeffer, 1900 has a complex taxonomic history. No fewer than 21 poorly defined nominal species in approximately eight genera have been described, however, molecular studies indicate that the family is monotypic, with a single species Architeuthid dux Steenstrup, 1857 having a worldwide distribution (Winkelmann et al. 2013).

The first record of this family from Australian waters was of a stranded specimen from eastern Victoria, assigned by Allan (1948) to Architeuthis kirki C.W. Robson. A larval Architeuthis was caught in a midwater trawl in the upper 20 m off the central New South Wales coast in October, 1981 and a living juvenile female in this same region in the upper 300 m in January, 1982 (Lu 1986).

Individuals of Architeuthis species reach mantle lengths (ML) in excess of 4.5 m and weights of more than one tonne (Clarke 1966) and are the largest living cephalopods. Buoyancy is provided by a relatively high concentration of ammonium ions in the muscles of the mantle, head and arms (Clarke et al. 1979). The oxygen carrying capacity of the haemocyanin in the blood of Architeuthis is very low compared to that of other active oceanic squids such as ommastrephids (0.3 compared with 1.6 to 1.9 mM O2). This, coupled with the pronounced temperature sensitivity of its oxygen affinity, may limit the distribution of adult specimens to low water temperatures. Their encounters with warm currents may result in suffocation and hence explain the high correlation of strandings with warm water inflow in some areas (Brix 1983).

Size at maturity in male Architeuthis appears to be variable. Specimens from 179 mm to in excess of 1000 mm ML have been found with apparently viable spermatophores (Toll & Hess 1981). The size at which females first reach maturity is uncertain. Female Architeuthis lack spermathecae. A recently captured female with ML 2.4 m was found have mated. Spermatophores were found embedded in the skin on both ventral arms. On one arm, the remains of several spermatophores up to 80 mm in length radiated under the skin from a single small entry point, about 10 mm in diameter; they did not penetrate the arm musculature. It is unclear how the spermatophores are inserted; the male may inject the spermatophores with the large muscular penis or use his beak to make the entry wound through which they are injected (Norman & Lu 1997). Mature eggs in Architeuthis reach 1.2–1.8 mm in length (Roeleveld & Lipinski 1991). Boyle (1986) estimated the potential fecunidity of a female at over 10 million eggs.

Examination of the blood chemistry of Architeuthis together with the lack of strong musculature in the funnel and fins, suggest that these animals are relatively poor swimmers and passive, sluggish predators (Roper & Boss 1982; Brix 1983). Architeuthis has been recorded from the diets of sperm whales and mako sharks in Australian waters (Clarke 1980; Dunning et al. 1993) and elsewhere from lancetfish, swordfish, albacore tuna and sperm whales (Clarke 1966; Roper & Young 1972; Toll & Hess 1981). Fish and cephalopods (including ommastrephids and histioteuthids) have been found among the stomach contents of the few specimens of Architeuthis examined (Pérez-Gándaras & Guerra 1978; Toll & Hess 1981; Roper & Boss 1982).

Data on numerical abundance of Architeuthis remains in individual sperm whale stomachs suggest that they may be solitary animals (Clarke 1980). The vertical distribution of adults is unclear. Clarke (1980) and Roper & Boss (1982) suggest that they may live on or near the bottom in depths of 1000 m or more. The capture of a larva in near-surface waters off eastern Australia may be an indication of ontogenetic descent (Lu 1986). Jackson et al. (1991) reported that the growth rings on the statolith of Architeuthis are similar in appearance to daily growth rings found in other squids studied; a juvenile female of 42.2 cm ML had 153 rings.

The distribution of Architeuthis in Australian waters remains unclear although all available records are from south of 32°. Most records refer to beached animals.

 

Diagnosis

The genus Architeuthis Steenstrup is characterised by a muscular mantle, short oval fins and simple, straight, funnel locking cartilage. The buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of arms IV. The arms have biserial suckers with many small sharp teeth. The proximal end of the tentacular club has a distinct cluster of small suckers and knobs, and larger quadriserial suckers distally. Two longitudinal rows of alternating suckers and pads are present along the tentacular stalks. Photophores are absent. The presence of hectocotylus in mature males is uncertain, as reports are contradictory.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1948. A rare giant squid. Australian Museum Magazine 9: 306-308

Boyle, P.R. 1986. Report on a specimen of Architeuthis stranded near Aberdeen, Scotland. Journal of Molluscan Studies 52: 81-82

Brix, O. 1983. Giant squid may die when exposed to warm water currents. Nature (London) 303(2): 422-423

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R., Denton, E.J. & Gilpin-Brown, J.B. 1979. On the use of ammonium for buoyancy in squids. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 59: 259-276

Dunning, M.C., Clarke, M.R. & Lu, C.C. 1993. Cephalopods in the diet of oceanic sharks caught off eastern Australia. pp. 119-131 in Okutani, T., O'Dor, R.K. & Kubodera, T. (eds). Recent Advances in Cephalopod Fisheries Biology. Tokyo : Tokai University Press.

Jackson, G.D., Lu, C.C. & Dunning, M. 1991. Growth rings within the statolith microstructure of the giant squid Architeuthis. Veliger 34(4): 331-334

Lu, C.C. 1986. Smallest of the largest — first record of giant squid larval specimen. Australian Shell News (53): 9

Nesis, K.N. 1982. Cephalopods of the World. English Translation from Russian. Levitov, B.S. (Transl.), Burgess, L.A. (ed.) (1987) Neptune City : T.F.H. Publications, Inc. 351 pp. [English Translation from Russian]

Nesis, K.N. 1987. Cephalopods of the World. Neptune City, N.J. : T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Ltd 351 pp.

Norman, M.D. & Lu, C.C. 1997. Sex in giant squid. Nature (London) 389: 683-684

Pérez-Gándaras, G. & Guerra, A. 1978. Nueva cita de Architeuthis (Cephalopoda: Teuthoidea): Descripción y alimentación. Investigacion Pesquera 42(2): 401-414

Roeleveld, M.A. & Lipinski, M.R. 1991. The giant squid Architeuthis in southern African waters. Journal of Zoology, London 224: 431-477

Roper, C.F.E. & Boss, K.J. 1982. The giant squid. Scientific American 246(4): 96-105

Roper, C.F.E. & Jereb, P. 2010. Family Architeuthidae. pp. 121-123 in Jereb, P. & Roper, C.F.E. (Eds). Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 pp. 1-605.

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1972. First recordings of juvenile giant squid, Architeuthis (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 85(16): 205-222

Toll, R.B. & Hess, S.C. 1981. A small, mature male Architeuthis (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida) with remarks on maturation in the family. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(3): 753-760

Winkelmann, I., Campos, P.F., Strugnell, J., Cherel, Y., Smith, P.J., Kubodera, T., Allcock, L., Kampmann, M.-L., Schroeder, H., Guerra, A., Norman, M., Finn, J., Ingrao, D., Clarke, M. & Gilbert, M.T.P. 2013. Mitochondrial genome diversity and population structure of the giant squid Architeuthis: genetics sheds new light on one of the most enigmatic marine species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (B) 280, no. 1759: 20130273

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 06-May-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Architeuthis Steenstrup, 1857


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Distribution References

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Species Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857

Southern Ocean Giant Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Architeuthis sanctipauli (Velain, 1877).

 

Introduction

Single species of Architeuthis, A. dux is now recognised (Winkelmann et al. 2013)

 

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Victoria (Bass Strait); Wingan Inlet.


IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, nectonic.

Paralarva: epipelagic.

Continental slope, oceanic, temperate.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1948. A rare giant squid. Australian Museum Magazine 9: 306-308 (as Architeuthus kirkii;distribution)

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300 (worldwide distribution, ecology)

Gauldie, R.W., West, I.F. & Forch, E.C. 1994. Statocyst, statolith, and age estimation of the giant squid, Architeuthis kirki. Veliger 37(1): 93-109 (growth)

Lu, C.C. 2001. Cephalopoda. pp. 129-308 in Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 17.2 Mollusca: Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 353 pp. [Date published 3 July 2001] [224] (as Architeuthis kirki)

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 (as Architeuthis kirki; Australian distribution)

Roper, C.F.E. & Jereb, P. 2010. Family Architeuthidae. pp. 121-123 in Jereb, P. & Roper, C.F.E. (Eds). Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 pp. 1-605. [123] (geographical distribution, habitat and biology)

Winkelmann, I., Campos, P.F., Strugnell, J., Cherel, Y., Smith, P.J., Kubodera, T., Allcock, L., Kampmann, M.-L., Schroeder, H., Guerra, A., Norman, M., Finn, J., Ingrao, D., Clarke, M. & Gilbert, M.T.P. 2013. Mitochondrial genome diversity and population structure of the giant squid Architeuthis: genetics sheds new light on one of the most enigmatic marine species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (B) 280, no. 1759: 20130273

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Family NEOTEUTHIDAE Naef, 1921


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

Members of the family Neoteuthidae Naef, 1921 are small to medium sized oceanic squid, with a conical mantle and large head and, laterally, fringe fins or kidney-shaped fins without anterior lobes. Four genera are included in the family. Alluroteuthis with its sole species A. antarcticus Odhner, 1923 is known only from Antarctic waters while other species are known from the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans (Roper et al. 1969; Young 1972; Nesis 1987). In Australian Antarctic waters only one species is known, Alluroteuthis antarcticus.

Very little has been published on Alluroteuthis antarcticus. Paralarvae and juveniles are mesopelagic; adults are mesopelagic to bathypelagic at 750-2800 m. Adults concentrate at 800-900 m during the day. Ontogenetic descent occurs in juveniles and subadults. The food of the species includes the squid Psychroteuthis glacialis and the fish Pleuragramma antarcticum (Lu & Williams 1994). Predators of this species include many species of Antarctic seabirds (Croxall & Prince 1996) and Ross and Weddell Seals (Klages 1996).

 

Diagnosis

Neoteuthids are medium and small squids with mantle conical and head large. The fins lack anterior 'earlets', are kidney-shaped, or inversely heart-shaped (narrow anteriorly and wide posteriorly, with incision on posterior edge) or in the form of a lateral fringe. There are 2 rows of suckers on all arms. In adult Alluroteuthis the suckers on the 1st to 3rd arms are modified to form hooks. Suckers on the 4th arms are much smaller than on the 1st–3rd arms. The proximal part of the tentacular club bears a large number of small suckers arranged in more than 10 rows; in the central part of the club there are 4 rows of large suckers of equal or different size, while on the distal end are 3–4 rows of gradually smaller suckers. The funnel locking cartilage is simple, straight, and the buccal connectives attach to the dorsal borders of the ventral arms. Photophores are absent.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Alluroteuthis Odner, 1923

 

Distribution

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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Species Alluroteuthis antarcticus Odhner, 1923

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Antarctic, in Aust. Antarctic Terr. only confirmed from Prydz Bay, Antarctica.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Nectonic, predator.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 750–2800 m.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Superfamily CHIROTEUTHOIDEA Gray, 1849

  • CHIROTEUTHOIDEA Gray, 1849.

 

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Family BATOTEUTHIDAE Young & Roper, 1968

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Genus Batoteuthis Young & Roper, 1968

 

Distribution

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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Species Batoteuthis skolops Young & Roper, 1968

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Bathypelagic to abyssopelagic found circumglobally in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the South Atlantic, South Pacific and southern Indian Oceans between ~45°S and 60°S. Antarctic endemic extending north to the Sub-Antarctic Front.


IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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Family CHIROTEUTHIDAE Gray, 1849


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Chiroteuthidae Gray, 1949 are small to medium sized squid (less than 400 mm mantle length (ML)) with somewhat gelatinous bodies. Worldwide approximately 12 nominal species have been described in six genera, Asperoteuthis, Chiroteuthis, Chiroteuthoides, Grimalditeuthis, Planktoteuthis and Tankaia. All but Chiroteuthoides and Tankaia been recorded from Australian waters. The taxonomy of the family is thoroughly confused and in need of revision.

Chiroteuthids have a distinctive larval form, the doratopsis, which attains an unusually large size (up to 60 mm ML in some species). This larva has an elongate spindle-shaped mantle, almost circular fins and the gladius projecting posteriorly as a narrow rod. The head is attached to an extraordinarily long transparent neck. Unlike that of Brachioteuthis larvae, the chiroteuthid neck has many membranous partitions. Clarke et al. (1979) concluded that the neck region provides buoyancy for the whole animal. In smaller specimens, the tentacles and the ventral arms are approximately equal in length and very long (up to 60% of the mantle length). The remaining arms are poorly developed. Light organs are not readily apparent in the larval stages. Growth is allometric in post larval stages, the head becoming shorter through loss of the post-orbital neck, the mantle relatively wider and the fins, while maintaining their relative length, becoming relatively wider. The advanced development of the ventral arms seen even in larval stages is maintained with growth, these structures contributing the major component of the buoyancy of adult chiroteuthids. It is likely that adults float with the ventral arms uppermost (Clarke et al. 1979). In some species the tail is lost, while in others a cylindrical gelatinous projection is retained.

Little is known of chiroteuthid life histories. The broad size distribution of specimens of Chiroteuthis imperator examined by Kubota et al. (1981) is perhaps indicative of an extended spawning season for this species in Japanese waters. No information on the life span or growth rate of any chiroteuthid species is currently available. Chiroteuthids form part of the diet of sperm whales off south-western Australia and in the Tasman Sea (Clarke 1980; Clarke & MacLeod 1982); of lancetfish and yellowfin tuna in the Coral Sea and north-eastern Indian Ocean (Rancurel 1970, 1976; Fujita & Hattori 1976); and of oceanic sharks off eastern Australia (Dunning et al. 1993). Off Japan, C. imperator feeds on micronektonic crustaceans, molluscs and fish (Kubota et al. 1981).

From their numerical abundance among sperm whale stomach contents, Clarke (1980) concluded that off southern Africa C. joubini Voss forms schools although whether this behaviour is characteristic of other members of the family is not known. Chiroteuthis species have been shown to display ontogenetic descent, the smallest larvae most abundant in the upper 100 m and those metamorphosing to the subadult stage predominating at depths of 500 to 700 m. Adults apparently occur below 500 m by day but are distributed throughout the water column during the night. Diel vertical migration of larvae and adults is also evident in some species (Roper & Young 1975).

The distribution of this family in Australian waters is poorly known.

 

Diagnosis

Chiroteuthids are characterised by an oval funnel locking apparatus with one or two knobs projecting towards the centre of the cavity. The arms, including the greatly enlarged ventral pair, bear biserial, toothed suckers. The tentacles are very elongate (up to five times the mantle length) and bear distinctive clubs with tetraserial suckers on long stalks. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral borders of the ventral arms. In most species abundant photophores are present along the tentacle stalks and the ventral arms. Large light organs are also present ventrally on the eyes, at the tips of the tentacular clubs and embedded in the ink sac on both sides of the intestine in most species.

 

General References

Brandt, S.B. 1983. Pelagic squid associations with a warm-core eddy of the East Australian Current. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 573-585

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R., Denton, E.J. & Gilpin-Brown, J.B. 1979. On the use of ammonium for buoyancy in squids. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 59: 259-276

Clarke, M.R. & MacLeod, N. 1982. Cephalopod remains from the stomachs of sperm whales caught in the Tasman Sea. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 43: 25-42

Dunning, M.C., Clarke, M.R. & Lu, C.C. 1993. Cephalopods in the diet of oceanic sharks caught off eastern Australia. pp. 119-131 in Okutani, T., O'Dor, R.K. & Kubodera, T. (eds). Recent Advances in Cephalopod Fisheries Biology. Tokyo : Tokai University Press.

Fujita, K. & Hattori, J. 1976. Stomach content analysis of longnose lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox, in the eastern Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 23(3): 133-142

Kubota, T., Koshiga, M. & Okutani, T. 1981. Rare and interesting squid from Japan — VII. Some biological data on Chiroteuthis imperator from Suruga Bay, Japan. Venus 40(3): 150-159

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Rancurel, P. 1976. Note sur les Céphalopodes des contenus stomacaux de Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) dans le Sud-ouest Pacifique. Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 14(1): 71-80

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Asperoteuthis Nesis, 1980

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8)

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Species Asperoteuthis acanthoderma (Lu, 1977)

Generic Combinations

  • Asperoteuthis acanthoderma Lu, 1977.

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Widespread throughout the Indo-West Pacific and the south Atlantic Ocean.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8)

Distribution References

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Genus Chiroteuthis d'Orbigny, 1839

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Species Chiroteuthis joubini Voss, 1967

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Widespread: northern subtropical and tropical Atlantic Ocean, Sargasso Sea; western and southern Indian Ocean, 0°S, to ~ 45°S, south-eastern Africa, south-western Western Australia; Banda Sea.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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Species Chiroteuthis picteti Joubin, 1894

 

Introduction

Chun (1908) described Chiroteuthis imperator from off Sumatra, Indonesia, close to the type locality of Chiroteuthis picteti. Roper and Young (1999) consider C. imperator to be a synonym of C. picteti and that decision is followed here. Some northern Australian specimens may be referred to as C. imperatorin older literature and museum collections. It is likely that 'C. picteti' is a species-complex.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific Ocean from Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia to 60°E in the Indian Ocean; Australia, Tasman Sea, New Zealand.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Species Chiroteuthis portieri (Joubin, 1912)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: bathypelagic, mesopelagic, nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Oceanic.

 

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Species Chiroteuthis veranii (Férrusac, 1834)

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Tropical, subtropical to sub-Antarctic; circumglobal extending to south of the Antarctic Polar Front. Found off southern Australia.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Genus Grimalditeuthis Joubin, 1898

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic Ocean.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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Species Grimalditeuthis bonplandii (Vérany, 1837)

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, oceanic, temperate waters

 

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Genus Planctoteuthis Pfeffer, 1912

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

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Species Planctoteuthis danae (Joubin, 1931)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Planctoteuthis danae (Joubin, 1931).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan in tropical and temperate waters.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

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Family JOUBINITEUTHIDAE Naef, 1922


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

Joubiniteuthis portieri (Joubin), the sole species in the rare family Joubiniteuthidae Naef, 1922, is easily recognised by its slender tail which projects beyond the mantle by slightly more than its own length, and small oval subterminal fins. Joubiniteuthis portieri was first recorded from eastern Australian waters by Lu & Phillips (1985). It has a soft gelatinous body and is very rarely caught. Less than 20 specimens are known worldwide (Young & Roper 1969).

Males reach maturity at less than 105 mm mantle length (ML) (Young & Roper 1969) while an 85 mm female from off Japan was still immature. The female reproductive system is typically oegopsid, and has paired nidamental glands (Okutani & Kubota 1972). No information regarding the life history is available. Individuals have been recovered from among the stomach contents of a lancetfish stranded off eastern Japan (Okutani & Kubota 1972).

The vertical distribution of this species is poorly known. Atlantic specimens examined by Young and Roper (1969) were caught at depths of between 330 and 2500 m. Okutani and Kubota (1972) concluded that the specimen recovered from a lancetfish stomach was captured in the upper 150 m, possibly indicating that adult joubiniteuthids occupy a broad depth range.

 

Diagnosis

This monotypic family is characterised by a slender tail projecting beyond the mantle which is slightly longer than the rest of the body, and small oval subterminal fins. Arms are elongate and slender (more than twice the mantle length) with up to six rows of suckers on each of the dorsal, lateral and dorso-lateral arms and four rows on the ventral arms. The tentacles are long and thread-like with a laterally compressed club carrying up to 12 rows of small, smooth, ringed suckers. The distal tip of the club is bordered by a distinct protective membrane with no apparent supports. The funnel locking cartilage is small and oval and the buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms. Photophores are absent and males show no evidence of hectocotylisation.

 

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Genus Joubiniteuthis Berry, 1920

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Family MAGNAPINNIDAE Vecchione & Young, 1998

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Genus Magnapinna Vecchione & Young, 1998

Bigfin Squid

  • Magnapinna Vecchione & Young, 1998.

 

Introduction

Representatives of this genus have been recognised using visual surveys and ROV observations. The Australian representatives have not yet been identified to species.

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Records refer to visual surveys using towed camera and ROV observations.


IMCRA

Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Southern Province (8)

Distribution References

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Family MASTIGOTEUTHIDAE Verrill, 1881


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Mastigoteuthidae Verrill, 1881 are medium to large sized squid (maximum mantle length (ML) 50–100 cm) with gelatinous body consistency. Four of six known genera are represented in Australian waters, each represented by a single species. Due to their deep water habitat, mastigoteuthids are easily damaged during trawling operations, and hence many species are only poorly delineated.

Mastigoteuthis agassizi, the type species of the genus Mastigoteuthis, was described from the western North Atlantic by Verrill (1881). Allan (1945) recorded the first Mastigoteuthis species from Australian waters. Four nominal species were listed by Lu & Phillips (1985).

The body of Mastigoteuthis is often pink or brick red in colour. Some species have minute dermal tubercles covering the body surface. Roper & Lu (1990) described these structures in Mastigoteuthis cordiformis and M. hjorti and identified the tissue as being elastic cartilage or fibro-cartilage. The function of these tubercles is suggested to be aid in drag reduction, at least in M. cordiformis.

The tissues of Mastigoteuthis are highly vacuolated (Dilly et al. 1977); vacuoles are found in the arms, at the front of the head, in the cartilage, the mantle and the fins; the tentacles, however, have a dense musculature. The vacuolated tissues, containing ammonium rich fluid, provide buoyancy for the animal (Clarke et al. 1979). Based on the distribution of vacuolated tissues, Dilly et al. (1977) suggested that mastigoteuthids, when not swimming, lie vertically in the sea with arms held upwards, the denser tentacles hanging downwards.

No comprehensive information on mastigoteuthids is available. Their food is probably mainly crustaceans. Verrill (1882) and Rancurel (1971) found crustacean remains in the stomach contents of Mastigoteuthis agassizii and M. grimaldii. The tentacles, however, have a dense musculature, although frequently species of Mastigoteuthis have been captured in the midwater trawl tows, they are not common in the stomach contents of predators (Clarke 1986). The known predators of various Mastigoteuthis species include Alepisaurus ferox, Globicephalus melaena, Hyperoodon planifrons, Mesoplodon carlhubbsi and Physester catodon (Rees & Maul 1956; Clarke 1986).

Mastigoteuthids occur from the tropical waters to the polar regions. Closing-net data indicate that all species live at depths of 500 to 1000 m diurnally and may ascend to shallower depths at night, even to as shallow as 50 to 100 m (Clarke & Lu 1975; Lu & Clarke 1975; Roper & Young 1975).

Several mastigoteuthid species (at least four) have been recorded from Australian waters (Lu & Phillips 1985), but their exact distributions are not well known. None of the species is endemic in Australian waters; some may have cosmopolitan distributions (cf. Nesis 1982).

The family has been reviewed relatively recenly by Braid et al.(2014.

 

Diagnosis

The family is characterised by an oval funnel locking-cartilage, with inward projecting knobs, similar to Chiroteuthis, except the posterior knob is generally poorly developed and occasionally the medial knob is also poorly developed. The arms bear biserial toothed suckers and, as in chiroteuthids, the ventral arms are greatly enlarged. The long and whip-like tentacles bear many hundreds of minute suckers. The buccal connectives attach to the ventral borders of the ventral arms. The fins are large. Many species have photophores on the surface of the mantle, ventral surface of the head and ventral arms, and on the ventral surface of the eyeball. The males do not have a hectocotylised arm. There is no distinctive larval stage.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Braid, H.E., McBride, P.D. & Boldstad, K.S.R. 2014. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the squid family Mastigoteuthidae (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) based on three mitochondrial genes. Hydrobiologia 725: 145-164

Clarke, M.R. 1986. Cephalopods in the diet of odontocetes. pp. 281-321 in Bryden, M.M. & Harrison, R. (eds). Research on Dolphins. Oxford : Oxford University Press.

Clarke, M.R., Denton, E.J. & Gilpin-Brown, J.B. 1979. On the use of ammonium for buoyancy in squids. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 59: 259-276

Clarke, M.R. & Lu, C.C. 1975. Vertical distribution of cephalopods at 18°N, 25°W in the North Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 55: 165-182

Dilly, P.N., Nixon, M. & Young, J.Z. 1977. Mastigoteuthis — the whip-lash squid. Journal of Zoology, London 181: 527-559

Lu, C.C. & Clarke, M.R. 1975. Vertical distribution of cephalopods at 11°N, 20°W in the North Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 55: 369-389

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Nesis, K.N. 1982. Cephalopods of the World. English Translation from Russian. Levitov, B.S. (Transl.), Burgess, L.A. (ed.) (1987) Neptune City : T.F.H. Publications, Inc. 351 pp. [English Translation from Russian]

Rancurel, P. 1971. Mastigoteuthis grimaldi (Joubin, 1895) Chiroteuthidae peu connu de l'Atlantique tropical (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 9: 125-145

Rees, W.J. & Maul, G.E. 1956. The Cephalopoda of Madeira. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zool. 3: 257-281

Roper, C.F.E. & Lu, C.C. 1990. Comparative morphology and function of dermal structures in oceanic squids (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 493: 1-40

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

Verrill, A.E. 1881. Report on the cephalopods and on some additional species dredged by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer, Fish Hawk during the season of 1880. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 8: 99-116 pls 1-8

Verrill, A.E. 1882. Report on the cephalopods of the north eastern coast of America. Report of the United States Fish Commission 1879: 211-450

 

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Idioteuthis Sasaki, 1916

  • Idioteuthis Sasaki, 1916.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

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Species Idioteuthis cordiformis (Chun, 1908)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

Continental slope, oceanic, temperate.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Magnoteuthis Salcedo-Vargas & Okutani, 1994

  • Magnoteuthis Salcedo-Vargas & Okutani, 1994.
    Type species:
     Mastigoteuthis magna Joubin, 1913 by original designation.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

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Species Magnoteuthis magna (Joubin, 1913)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

32º28'S 152º25'E.


IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Mastigopsis Grimpe, 1922

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

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Species Mastigopsis hjorti (Chun, 1913)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Mastigoteuthis Verrill, 1881

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

MASTIGOTEUTHIDAE: Mastigoteuthis grimaldi (Joubin, 1895) — Young, R.E. 1972. The systematics and areal distribution of pelagic cephalopods from the seas off southern California. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 97: 1-159

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Distribution References

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED

Species Mastigoteuthis psychrophila Nesis, 1977

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Antarctic, in Aust. Antarctic Terr. only confirmed from Prydz Bay, Antarctica.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, nectonic, predator.

 

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Superfamily CRANCHIOIDEA Prosch, 1847

  • CRANCHIOIDEA Prosch, 1847.

 

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Family CRANCHIIDAE Prosch, 1847


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The diverse family Cranchiidae Prosch, 1849 consists of small to very large (more than 1 m mantle length (ML)) oceanic squid displaying a high degree of morphological diversity. All members of the family have the mantle fused to the head in the nuchal region and to the funnel at its two posterior lateral corners.

The 13 currently recognised genera are divided between two subfamilies, Cranchiinae Prosch, 1849 and Taoniinae Pfeffer, 1912. Cranchiines are characterised by the presence of one or two cartilaginous strips extending posteriorly from the anterior apex of the funnel-mantle fusions and the fusion of the funnel to the head laterally; four or more small round or oval photophores are present on the eyes, and the right or left ventral arms are hectocotylised in mature males. Taoniines lack cartilaginous strips and the funnel is free from the head laterally; one to three dissimilar-sized crescent-shaped light organs are present on the eyes and hectocotylisation is absent. Secondary sexual modification of the ends of the arms in mature males, and development of brachial end-organs on the arms of mature females, may be present in both subfamilies.

Cranchiids were first recorded from eastern Australian waters by Allan (1940, 1945) with 'Pyrgopsis pacificus Issel, 1908' (probably Leachia sp.) the most numerous cephalopod in her plankton collections. Brandt (1983) recorded at least five cranchiid species from both subfamilies from a warm-core eddy of the East Australian Current. Lu & Phillips (1985) list at least 13 species and species groups from off the east coast.

Taxonomic confusion in the family was partially a consequence of the major morphological changes that accompany growth in many cranchiids. The confusion has been resolved partially by the work of N. Voss (1980, 1985). Early larval characters such as stalked eyes and paddle-shaped fins are lost or modified at varying stages during growth in each genus (Clarke 1966; N. Voss 1980, 1985; Rodhouse & Clarke 1986). Where known, the cranchiid reproductive systems show typical oegopsid characteristics with the exception of the four nidamental glands reported by G. Voss (1962) for a female of Ascocranchia joubini from the North Atlantic. Females have no spermathecae. In Teuthowenia pellucida (Chun), a species abundant in eastern Australian waters, spermatophores are embedded externally on the anterior half of the mantle, either dorsally or ventrally. The sperm reservoirs penetrate the inner wall and release sperm into the mantle cavity where, apparently, fertilisation of mature eggs occurs as they leave the oviducal glands. The presence of large swollen nidamental glands in mature females suggests that the eggs are deposited in one or more gelatinous egg masses. An estimated 6000 to 8000 eggs of 3.0 mm maximum length were carried by two mature female T. pellucida of 177 and 187 mm ML (N. Voss 1985).

Little is known on the life history of cranchiids. Available information on Teuthowenia megalops (Prosch) from the North Atlantic was reviewed by Nixon (1983). N. Voss (1985) concluded that female T. pellucida probably shed all their eggs over a short period and do not survive beyond one spawning period. Males may mate more than once, but like the females, do not survive past one limited mating season. No information on the life span and growth rates of any cranchiid species is available currently. Cranchiids form a minor part of the diet of sperm whales off south-western Australia and in the Tasman Sea (Clarke 1980; Clarke & MacLeod 1982) and are also components of the diets of lancetfish and yellowfin tuna from the Coral Sea and north-eastern Indian Ocean (Rancurel 1970, 1976; Fujita & Hattori 1976); they are also eaten by seabirds (Imber 1978), blue sharks (Clarke & Stevens 1974), albacore tuna and dolphins (Clarke 1966).

Cranchiids show ontogenetic descent. The smallest larvae of Teuthowenia pellucida are more abundant in the upper 600 m, while those metamorphosing to the subadult stage are predominant at depths of 700 to 800 m. Adults generally occur below 500 m and as deep as 2400 m. Mature T. pellucida have only been caught in water depths of more than 3800 m (N. Voss 1985). Off Hawaii Leachia pacifica (Issel, 1908) lives in near-surface waters until it reaches about 80% of its maximum length; both males and females then descend to depths up to 2300 m where they mature, mate and then, apparently, spawn (Young 1975). Diel vertical migration of larval or adult cranchiids has not been demonstrated conclusively beyond Australia (Roper & Young 1975; Young 1975).

Cranchiids are among the most speciose and abundant of oegopsid squid and occur in all oceans from the surface to depths in excess of 3500 m. Of the 13 genera recognised by N. Voss (1980), all are known from Australian waters although none is endemic. The distribution of most species in Australian waters is poorly known. N. Voss (1985) concluded that Teuthowenia pellucida is distributed circumglobally in the mixed waters of the Subtropical Convergence, its local occurrence affected by surface winds, currents and bottom depth.

An Australian specimen of Teuthowenia pellucida was included in the molecular study of Fernández-Álvares et al. (2022).

 

Diagnosis

The family is characterised by having the mantle fused to the head in the nuchal region and to the funnel at its two posterior lateral corners. The arms generally bear biserial, sharp-toothed suckers, and the armature of the tentacular clubs (suckers, hooks or hook-like suckers) is generally quadriserial. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral borders of the ventral arms and photophores are present on the eyes and on the arm tips in some species.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1940. A rare stalk-eyed squid (Bathothauma lyromma Chun) new to Australian waters. Records of the Australian Museum 20: 320-324

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Brandt, S.B. 1983. Pelagic squid associations with a warm-core eddy of the East Australian Current. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 573-585

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R. & MacLeod, N. 1982. Cephalopod remains from the stomachs of sperm whales caught in the Tasman Sea. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 43: 25-42

Clarke, M.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1974. Cephalopods, blue sharks and migration. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 54: 949-957

Fernández-Álvarez, F.Á., Taite, M., Vecchione, M., Villanueva, R. & Allcock, L.A. 2022. A phylogenomic look into the systematics of oceanic squids (order Oegopsida). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 194: 1212-1235

Fujita, K. & Hattori, J. 1976. Stomach content analysis of longnose lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox, in the eastern Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 23(3): 133-142

Imber, M.J. 1978. The squid families Cranchiidae and Gonatidae (Cephalopoda: Teuthoidea) in the New Zealand region. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 5: 445-484

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Nixon, M. 1983. Teuthowenia megalops. pp. 233-247 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 1. Species Accounts. London : Academic Press xvii 474 pp.

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Rancurel, P. 1976. Note sur les Céphalopodes des contenus stomacaux de Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) dans le Sud-ouest Pacifique. Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 14(1): 71-80

Rodhouse, P.G. & Clarke, M.R. 1986. Growth and distribution of young Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson (Mollusca, Cephalopoda), and Antarctic squid. Vie et Milieu 35(3/4): 223 -230

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

Voss, G.L. 1962. Ascocranchia joubini, a new genus and species of cranchiid squid from the North Atlantic. Bulletin de l'Institut Océanographique Monaco 1242: 1-6

Voss, N.A. 1980. A generic revision of the Cranchiidae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Bulletin of Marine Science 30: 365-412

Voss, N.A. 1985. Systematics, biology and biogeography of the Cranchiid cephalopod genus Teuthowenia (Oegopsida). Bulletin of Marine Science 36: 1-85

Young, R.E. 1975. Leachia pacifica (Cephalopoda, Teuthoidea): Spawning habitat and function of the brachial photophores. Pacific Science 29(1): 19-25

 

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Subfamily Cranchiinae Pfeffer, 1912

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Genus Cranchia Leach, 1817

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Distribution References

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Species Cranchia scabra Leach, 1817

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: bathypelagic.

Paralarva: epipelagic.

Migratory, oceanic, subtropical, tropical.

 

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Genus Leachia Lesueur, 1821

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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Species Leachia cyclura Lesueur, 1821

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Tropical and southern subtropical Indo-West Pacific oceanic waters.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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Species Leachia pacifica (Issel, 1908)

Generic Combinations

  • Leachia pacifica (Issel, 1908).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Continental shelf, continental slope, mesopelagic, temperate.

 

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Liocranchia Pfeffer, 1884

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

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Species Liocranchia reinhardtii (Steenstrup, 1856)

Generic Combinations

  • Liocranchia reinhardti (Steenstrup, 1856).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Epipelagic, mesopelagic, temperate, tropical.

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 04-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Liocranchia valdiviae Chun, 1906

  • Liocranchia valdiviae Chun, C. 1906. System der Cranchien. Zoologischer Anzeiger 31: 82-86 [84].
    Type data:
     
    Syntype(s) ZMB ♂ (Valdivia Stn 182), 10º8'S 97º14'E; 4º5'S 23º24'E; 4º5'S 70º1'E; 4º45'S 45º58'E; 5º42'S 43º36'E; 2º58'N 46º50'E (Indian Ocean); ZMB juv. (Valdivia Stn 221), 10º8'S 97º14'E; 4º5'S 23º24'E; 4º5'S 70º1'E; 4º45'S 45º58'E; 5º42'S 43º36'E; 2º58'N 46º50'E (Indian Ocean); ZMB juv. (Valdivia Stn 226), 10º8'S 97º14'E; 4º5'S 23º24'E; 4º5'S 70º1'E; 4º45'S 45º58'E; 5º42'S 43º36'E; 2º58'N 46º50'E (Indian Ocean); ZMB ♀ (Valdivia Stn 237), 10º8'S 97º14'E; 4º5'S 23º24'E; 4º5'S 70º1'E; 4º45'S 45º58'E; 5º42'S 43º36'E; 2º58'N 46º50'E (Indian Ocean); ZMB ♂ (Valdivia Stn 239), 10º8'S 97º14'E; 4º5'S 23º24'E; 4º5'S 70º1'E; 4º45'S 45º58'E; 5º42'S 43º36'E; 2º58'N 46º50'E (Indian Ocean); ZMB ♂ (Valdivia Stn 258), 10º8'S 97º14'E; 4º5'S 23º24'E; 4º5'S 70º1'E; 4º45'S 45º58'E; 5º42'S 43º36'E; 2º58'N 46º50'E (Indian Ocean).

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

Paralarva: mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

Paralarva in upper mesopelagic, adult in lower mesopelagic.

 

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Subfamily Taoniinae Pfeffer, 1912

  • Taoniinae Pfeffer, 1912.

 

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Genus Bathothauma Chun, 1906

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Bathothauma lyromma Chun, 1906

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

Paralarva: epipelagic.

Continental slope, oceanic, subantarctic, temperate, tropical.

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
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Genus Egea Joubin, 1933

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

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Species Egea inermis Joubin, 1933

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal in equatorial, troipical to subtropical waters (35°N to 42°N, to 25°S), in the Atlantic, Indian and western Pacific Oceans.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Genus Galiteuthis Joubin, 1898

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

Circu- Antarctic to Subarctic waters.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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Species Galiteuthis glacialis (Chun, 1906)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Galiteuthis glacialis (Chun, 1906).

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar Antarctica, in Aust. Antarctica Terr. only confirmed from Prydz Bay, Antarctica .


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Galiteuthis suhmi (Hoyle, 1886)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Southern subtropical to sub-Antarctic circumglobal waters.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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Species Galiteuthis suhmii (Lankester, 1884)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Taonius suhmii (Lankester, 1884).
  • Galiteuthis suhmii (Lankester, 1884).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12)

Ecological Descriptors

Juvenile: oceanic.

 

History of changes

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Genus Helicocranchia Massy, 1907

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Helicocranchia pfefferi Massy, 1907

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

Paralarva: mesopelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

Larva in upper mesopelagic, adult in lower mesopelagic.

 

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Genus Liguriella Issel, 1908

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

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Species Liguriella podophthalma Issel, 1908

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Occurs circumglobally in tropical, subtropical and northern sub-Antarctic waters.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Macquarie Island Province (24), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 14-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Genus Megalocranchia Pfeffer, 1884

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 14-Jun-2023 MODIFIED
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED

Species Megalocranchia abyssicola (Goodrich, 1896)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Megalocranchia abyssicola (Goodrich, 1896).

 

Introduction

Taxon inquirendum.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesobathypelagic, tropical.

Paralarva: epipelagic.

 

General References

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 (Australian distribution): Nesis, K.N. 1974. A revision of the squid genera Corynoma, Megalocranchia, Sandalvps and Liyuriella (Oegopsida, Cranchiidae). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii, Akademiya Nauk SSSR 96: 5–22 (distribution)

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Mesonychoteuthis Robson, 1925

 

Distribution

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes

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Species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925

Antarctic Cranch Squid

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar Antarctica, in Aust. Antarctica Terr. only confirmed from Prydz Bay, Antarctica.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

0–4000 m, adults concentrated 2000–4000 m.

 

Common Name References

CephBase 2000. [Internet database of world cephalopods]. www.cephbase.dal.ca/. (Antarctic Cranch Squid)

 

History of changes

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Genus Sandalops Chun, 1906

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Sandalops melancholicus Chun, 1906

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Bathypelagic, mesopelagic, oceanic, temperate.

 

History of changes

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Genus Teuthowenia Chun, 1910

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Teuthowenia pellucida (Chun, 1910)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Teuthowenia pellucida (Chun, 1910).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: bathypelagic, nectonic.

Paralarva: epipelagic, mesopelagic.

Continental shelf, continental slope, migratory, predator, temperate.

 

History of changes

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Genus Taonius Steenstrup, 1861

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


Distribution References

History of changes

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Family OMMASTREPHIDAE Steenstrup, 1857


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Squid of the family Ommastrephidae Steenstrup, 1857 are medium to large sized (more than 500 mm mantle length (ML)), with a strong muscular torpedo-shaped mantle. Three subfamilies, Ommastrephinae, Todarodinae and Illicinae, are recognised on the basis of the presence and structure of some skin folds (the foveola and side pockets) in the funnel groove. Twenty-one species and one subspecies are known worldwide. Thirteen species, belonging to all subfamilies, are represented in Australian waters (Lu & Dunning 1982; Lu & Phillips 1985).

McCoy described Ommastrephes gouldi, the first ommastrephid from Australian waters, in 1888. Brazier (1892) listed two additional species, O. gigas d'Orbigny and O. oualaniensis Lesson, the first of which was a misidentification as the species occurs only in the eastern Pacific. Nesis (1979) provided records of additional species from the Australasian region. The most recent checklist of Australian ommastrephids is that of Lu & Phillips (1985).

Nototodarus Pfeffer, Todaropsis Girard and Todarodes Steenstrup typically display a dark, narrow mid-dorsal stripe on the mantle, replaced in oceanic species by a general darkening of the dorsal surface. Large light organs, either oval or as stripes, are present in Sthenoteuthis Verrill, Eucleoteuthis Berry and Hyaloteuthis Gray, ventrally or dorsally on the mantle and/or ventrally on the head and bases of the ventral arms. Juveniles of these species have oval light organs ventrally on the eyes and between the ink sac and intestine (Dunning 1985). Adult Ornithoteuthis Okada have an additional luminous stripe mid-ventrally along the viscera. In Ommastrephes d'Orbigny, small subcutaneous light organs are distributed ventrally on the mantle and head (Lu & Dunning 1982).

All ommastrephids are active predators, grasping their prey with the arms and tentacles which bear suckers carrying sharp, strongly developed conical teeth on the chitinous sucker rings, and dividing the victim using the heavily chitinised beaks. All species in Australian waters have buccal seminal receptacles for storage of sperm bulbs during copulation. The presence of sperm bulbs in the spermathecae of immature females of several species suggests that copulation may precede spawning by some time in this group. The family has a distinct larval form, the rhynchoteuthion, characterised by fusion of the tentacles until a size of 5–10 mm ML is reached, when separation occurs.

From examination of population size structure, it appears probable that most species in Australian waters reach reproductive maturity at less than two years of age, reproduce for a single season only and die. In some species, males mature at considerably smaller sizes than females. Spawning locations are unknown although larvae have not been found beyond continental shelf/slope waters.

Members of this family occupy all major marine habitats on the tropical and temperate continental shelf, continental slope and in oceanic waters. They feed on a broad range of crustaceans, fish, other pelagic molluscs and squids, and are at least partially cannibalistic (O'Sullivan & Cullen 1983). Known predators include seabirds, teleosts and sharks, whales, dolphins and seals (Dunning & Brandt 1985). Ommastrephids are schooling species, school size decreasing as the animal grows. Evidence from commercial fishing operations suggests that neritic species congregate close to the bottom during the day, moving up through the water column at night. Oceanic species have been seen feeding at the surface at night—large Ommastrephes have been observed hunting, perhaps cooperatively, for prey. Juveniles of several species are able to glide, like exocoetid flying fish, for distances in excess of 10 m, to escape predators. There is evidence for long distance migrations elsewhere in the world by Ommastrephes associated with spawning (Dunning & Brandt 1985), and perhaps on a smaller scale for Nototodarus in southern Australian (H. Smith 1983) and New Zealand waters (Sato 1985).

With the exception of polar waters, ommastrephid squid occur in all oceans. Significant distributional overlap occurs for many species, particularly in East Australian Current waters where juveniles of up to five genera have been taken in the same trawl catch (Dunning & Brandt 1985). Todarodes pacificus pucillus Dunning, 1988 occurs in continental shelf waters north of 27°S. The genus Nototodarus is represented in northern slope waters by N. hawaiiensis (Berry) and in shelf waters south of 25°S by N. gouldi. The distribution of the former species overlaps with that of the less abundant Todaropsis eblanae (Ball). Ornithoteuthis volatilis (Sasaki) is commonly caught in trawl catches from slope waters between 18° and 35°S. Occasionally the Subantarctic shelf species, Martialia hyadesi Rochebrune & Mabille, has been found stranded on the beach after storms at Macquarie Island, sometimes in large numbers. Dunning (1988) reviewed the distribution of arrow squids off eastern Australia.

Hyaloteuthis pelagica (Bosc) occurs in tropical and Eucleoteuthis luminosa (Sasaki) in subtropical oceanic waters off the east coast. Ommastrephes bartrami is the dominant ommastrephid in the south-eastern Indian Ocean and Tasman Sea north of 40°S, replaced to the south by Todarodes filippovae Adam. This species is also caught in continental slope waters around the southern Australian coast.

 

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

OMMASTREPHIDAE: Dosidicus gigas Brazier, 1892 — Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 [31]

OMMASTREPHIDAE: Dosidicus Steenstrup, 1857

 

Diagnosis

The family is characterised by an inverted T-shaped funnel locking cartilage, biserial suckers on the arms and, in all Australian representatives, tetraserial suckers on the tentacular clubs. The buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of the ventral arms and light organs are present in some genera. One or both ventral arms in males are hectocotylised.

 

General References

Brazier, J. 1892. Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania. Pt I. Cephalopoda; Pt II. Pteropoda. Sydney : Australian Museum Catalogue Vol. 15 42 pp.

Dunning, M. & Brandt, S.B. 1985. Distribution and life history of deep-water squid of commercial interest from Australia. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36: 343-359

Dunning, M.C. 1985. General patterns in the summer distribution of early juvenile ommastrephid squid off eastern Australia (Mollusca, Cephalopoda). Vie et Milieu 35: 163-168

Dunning, M.C. 1998. Zoogeography of arrow squids (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in the Coral and Tasman Seas, southwest Pacific. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 586: 435-453

Lu, C.C. & Dunning, M. 1982. Identification guide to Australian arrow squid (Family Ommastrephidae). Victorian Institute of Marine Science, Technical Report 2: 1-30

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

McCoy, F. 1888. Ommastrephes gouldi (McCoy). Gould's Squid. Prodromus of the zoology of Victoria, or figures and descriptions of the living species of the Victorian indigenous animals 2. Decade 17: 255-257 pls 169, 170

Nesis, K.N. 1979. Squids of the family Ommastrephidae in the Australian-New Zealand region. pp. 140–146 in, Nekton and Ichthyoplankton of the Australian-New Zealand Region. Moscow : Nauka.

O'Sullivan, D. & Cullen, J.M. 1983. Food of the squid Nototodarus gouldi in the Bass Strait. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 261-285

Sato, T. 1985. Reports on the squid tagging in New Zealand waters. Far Seas Fisheries Research Laboratory Spec. Ser No. 14: 1-73

Smith, H.K. 1983. Fishery and biology of Nototodarus gouldi (McCoy, 1888) in Western Bass Strait. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 44: 285-290

 

History of changes

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16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 15-May-2023 MODIFIED
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
10-Jan-2013 MODIFIED

Genus Eucleoteuthis Berry, 1916

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Eucleoteuthis luminosa (Sasaki, 1915)

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic, mesopelagic, nectonic, oceanic, predator, temperate, tropical.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, oceanic, temperate, tropical.

Predator.

 

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Genus Hyaloteuthis Gray, 1849

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

Pacific and Atlantic oceans.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Hyaloteuthis pelagica (Bosc, 1802)

Generic Combinations

  • Hyaloteuthis pelagica (Bosc, 1802).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, nectonic, oceanic.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, oceanic, planktonic.

 

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Martialia Rochebrune & Mabille, 1889

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

South Atlantic Ocean, Subantarctic region.


IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Martialia hyadesi Rochebrune & Mabille, 1889

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Macquarie Island


IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, continental slope, nectonic.

Juvenile: planktonic.

 

History of changes

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Genus Nototodarus Pfeffer, 1912

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific region.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4)

Distribution References

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 15-May-2023 MODIFIED
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED

Species Nototodarus gouldi (McCoy, 1888)

Red Arrow Squid

 

Generic Combinations

  • Nototodarus gouldi (McCoy, 1888).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

On continental shelf from about 27°S around southern coast to about Shark Bay, including Great Australian Bight and Bass Strait.


IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, continental slope, epipelagic, mesopelagic, nectonic, oceanic, temperate.

Juvenile: continental shelf, continental slope, mesopelagic, oceanic, planktonic.

 

History of changes

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Species Nototodarus hawaiiensis (Berry, 1912)

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, mesopelagic, nectonic, oceanic, tropical.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, planktonic, tropical.

Continental shelf, continental slope, mesopelagic, oceanic.

 

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 02-Mar-2025 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Ommastrephes d'Orbigny, 1835

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, continental slope, epipelagic, nectonic, oceanic, temperate, tropical.

Juvenile: continental shelf, continental slope, epipelagic, oceanic, planktonic, temperate, tropical.

 

General References

Araya, H. 1983. Fishery biology and stock assessment of Ommastrephes bartrami in the north Pacific Ocean. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 44: 269-283

Dunning, D., Potter, M. & Machida, S. 1981. Hoyo Maru survey shows oceanic squid could have potential. Australian Fisheries 40(12): 26-29 (fishery potential)

Dunning, M.C. 1993. Summer population of Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) and Todarodes filippovae Adam, 1975 (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) from the Tasman Sea. pp. 97-118 in Okutani, T., O'Dor, R.K. & Kubodera, T. (eds). Recent Advances in Fisheries Biology. Tokyo : Tokai University Press. (Australian distribution, life history)

Jameson, J. 1981. Bass Strait trials show mesh-netting for red ocean squid has potential. Australian Fisheries 40(12): 20-21, 29 (fishery potential)

Lu, C.C. & Dunning, M. 1982. Identification guide to Australian arrow squid (Family Ommastrephidae). Victorian Institute of Marine Science, Technical Report 2: 1-30 (Australian distribution)

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 (Australian distribution)

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51 (migration)

Young, R.E. 1972. The systematics and areal distribution of pelagic cephalopods from the seas off southern California. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 97: 1-159 (distribution)

 

History of changes

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Genus Ornithoteuthis Okada, 1927

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Ornithoteuthis volatilis (Sasaki, 1915)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Ornithoteuthis volatilis (Sasaki, 1915).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, nectonic, temperate, tropical.

Paralarva: mesopelagic, planktonic, temperate, tropical.

 

History of changes

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Genus Sthenoteuthis Verrill, 1880

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
13-Aug-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis (Lesson, 1830)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental slope, migratory, pelagic, predator.

Eggs: planktonic.

Juvenile: continental slope, pelagic, planktonic, temperate, tropical.

Migratory, predator.

 

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
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Genus Todarodes Steenstrup, 1880

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Todarodes angolensis Adam, 1962

 

Distribution

States

Tasmania


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Oceanic.

 

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Todarodes filippovae Adam, 1975

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Oceanic.

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Todarodes pacificus Dunning, 1988

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Shelf and slope waters around Japan, south to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and shelf waters around northern Australia.


History of changes

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Species Todarodes pusillus Dunning, 1988

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

 

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Genus Todaropsis Girard, 1889

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic and Indian Oceans, North Sea, Mediterrean Sea.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
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Species Todaropsis eblanae (Ball, 1841)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Todaropsis eblanae (Ball, 1841).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Ecological Descriptors

Eggs: planktonic.

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
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Family THYSANOTEUTHIDAE Keferstein, 1866


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The family Thysanoteuthidae Keferstein, 1866 comprises a single genus Thysanoteuthis Troschel.

Thysanoteuthis rhombus was recorded from among the stomach contents of lancetfish from the south-western Pacific and north-eastern Indian Ocean by Rancurel (1970) and Fujita & Hattori (1976). Nesis (1979) recorded net-caught specimens from the Australasian region and the species was first recorded from Australian nearshore waters by Dunning (1982).

Thysanoteuthis rhombus may exceed 800 mm mantle length (ML); females spawn gelatinous sausage-shaped egg masses 150 to 200 mm in diameter and up to 1 m long. A spiral double row of eggs of up to 2 mm diameter is contained in the external layers and these masses have been found near the surface. Around Japan, spawning occurs during the summer months; the smallest hatchlings are 1.1 mm ML (Misaki & Okutani 1976; Suzuki et al. 1979). Lancetfish (Alepisaurus), yellowfin tuna, spotted dolphin and blue marlin all prey on T. rhombus (Clarke 1966; Rancurel 1970, 1976; Fujita & Hattori 1976; Wolff 1982).

Thysanoteuthis rhombus is an oceanic species, generally caught in the upper 50 m of the water column. Juveniles apparently are capable of leaping out of the water but not of 'flying’ as observed in ommastrephids and onychoteuthids. Adults are slow swimmers (Nishimura 1966). In Australian waters, thysanoteuthids have been observed singly or in pairs, although groups of up to 20 have been observed elsewhere (Clarke 1966).

This species occurs circumglobally in tropical surface waters and in the East Australian Current system as far south as north-eastern Tasmania. Juveniles have also been recorded from tropical waters off the North West Shelf.

 

Diagnosis

Thysanoteuthis rhombus is characterised by a funnel locking cartilage with a long narrow longitudinal groove and a short broad transverse groove, a muscular mantle, and rhombic fins extending the length of the mantle in adults. Arm suckers are biserial and the tentacular suckers are tetraserial. The lateral arms are strongly keeled in large specimens. Long cirrate trabeculae on the arms support a well-developed web, and buccal connectives attach to the ventral borders of the ventral arms. The left ventral arm in males is hectocotylised. No photophores are present.

 

General References

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Dunning, M. 1982. Squid and cuttlefish resources of Australian waters. FAO Fisheries Report FID/R275: 103-111

Fujita, K. & Hattori, J. 1976. Stomach content analysis of longnose lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox, in the eastern Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 23(3): 133-142

Misaki, H. & Okutani, T. 1976. Studies on early life history of decapodan mollusca — VI. An evidence of spawning of an oceanic squid, Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, in the Japanese waters. Venus 35(4): 211-213

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Nishimura, S. 1966. Notes on the occurrence and biology of the oceanic squid, Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, in Japan. Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory 14(4): 327-349

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Rancurel, P. 1976. Note sur les Céphalopodes des contenus stomacaux de Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) dans le Sud-ouest Pacifique. Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 14(1): 71-80

Suzuki, S., Misaki, H. & Okutani, T. 1979. Studies on early life history of decapodan Mollusca. VIII. A supplementary note on floating egg mass of Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel in Japan—the first underwater photography. Venus 38: 153-55

Wolff, G.A. 1982. A study of feeding relationships in tuna and porpoise through the application of cephalopod beak analysis. Texas A & M Univ. Tech. Rept. DAR-7924779, 231 pp.

 

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Thysanoteuthis Troschel, 1857

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

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Species Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic, nectonic, oceanic, temperate.

Juvenile: epipelagic, oceanic, planktonic, temperate, tropical.

 

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Superfamily CYCLOTEUTHOIDEA Naef, 1923

  • CYCLOTEUTHOIDEA Naef, 1923.

 

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Family BRACHIOTEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1908

Arm Squids


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Brachioteuthidae are small to medium sized squid (less than 100 mm mantle length (ML)), with slender muscular mantles, sometimes produced as a short tail.

The taxonomy of the family is presently unstable and a thorough revision is required (Roper & Jereb 2010). Prior to 2001, the family Brachioteuthidae was considered to be monogeneric with the five nominal genera synonymised with Brachioteuthis Verrill. Lipinski (2001) described a new genus Slosarczykovia, with 1 species, and a new species of Brachioteuthis. Seven species, in two genera, are currently recognised as valid (Roper & Jereb 2010), with four species recorded from Australian waters.

Brachioteuthis riisei (Steenstrup) was first recorded from Australian waters by Allan (1945). It has since been taken in midwater trawls in an eddy of the East Australian Current (Brandt 1983). Lu & Phillips (1985) listed only B. riisei from Australian waters, although Nesis (1979) assigned specimens in his net collections to B. behni (Steenstrup) and Clarke (1966) reported B. picta Chun from the southern Indian Ocean and around New Zealand.

Adult Brachioteuthis are rarely caught and the available information on the biology of the group is patchy. The larvae are distinguished from all other squid larvae, except those of chiroteuthids, by their unusually long neck. The neck appears to be a single muscular, fluid-filled tube continuous with a large fluid-filled reservoir within the mantle. In the doratopsis larvae of chiroteuthids the neck is also elongate but is supported by many separate chambers. Larval Brachioteuthis are believed to orientate in a head down position—a drifting bell with tentacles hanging ready to capture prey (Young et al. 1986).

The eggs of a Brachioteuthis species have been taken occasionally in plankton nets in Hawaiian waters, and Young et al. (1986) suggested that females spawn single eggs, as in the Enoploteuthidae. Unlike enoploteuthids, however, adult brachioteuthid females lack nidamental glands. The lack of seasonality in occurrence of larvae in eastern Australian waters suggests that this species spawns throughout the year (Allan 1945). The diet of Brachioteuthis is not known, but a species of Brachioteuthis forms part of the diet of sperm whales caught off Iceland following their migration north from the Southern Ocean (Martin & Clarke 1986).

Larval Brachioteuthis around Hawaii are diel vertical migrators, occurring in the upper 50 m at night and descending to 100 to 150 m during the day (Young et al. 1986). The distribution of adults is unknown although they have been caught in midwater trawls in subtropical oceanic waters off central New South Wales.

Eggs collected in plankton nets have been successfully hatched in onboard aquaria off Hawaii (Young et al. 1986). In East Australian Current waters north of 32°S, eggs at the hatching stage and early hatchlings have been caught in abundance during the summer months and may lend themselves to laboratory study of early growth and development.

 

Diagnosis

Brachioteuthids have a slender, muscular mantle, a simple, straight funnel locking cartilage and biserial suckers on the arms. Lateral arms in adults have swimming keels. The tentacular club is expanded with numerous small suckers in the carpal region, extending proximally along the club. The buccal connectives attach ventrally to the ventral arms. The terminal fins are rhombic, generally less than 50% of the mantle length. No light organs are present.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Brandt, S.B. 1983. Pelagic squid associations with a warm-core eddy of the East Australian Current. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 573-585

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Lipinski, M.R. 2001. Preliminary description of two new species of Cephalopods (Cephalopoda: Brachioteuthidae) from South Atlantic and Antarctic waters. Bulletin of the Sea Fisheries Institute, Gdynia 152: 3-14

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Martin, A.R. & Clarke, M.R. 1986. The diet of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) captured between Iceland and Greenland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 66: 779-790

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Roper, C.F.E. & Jereb, P. 2010. Family Brachioteuthidae. pp. 129-134 in Jereb, P. & Roper, C.F.E. (Eds). Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 pp. 1-605.

Young, R.E., Harman, R.F. & Mangold, K.M. 1986. The eggs and larvae of Brachioteuthis sp. (Cephalopoda, Teuthoidea) from Hawaiian waters. Vie et Milieu 35(3/4): 203-209

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 26-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Brachioteuthis Verrill, 1881


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Transition (3), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Brachioteuthis behnii (Steenstrup, 1882)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Brachioteuthis behnii (Steenstrup, 1882).

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Equatorial and central waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean as well as equatorial Atlantic.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Transition (3), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

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Species Brachioteuthis picta Chun, 1910

  • Brachioteuthis picta Chun, 1910.

 

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Species Brachioteuthis riisei (Steenstrup, 1882)

Common Arm Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Brachioteuthis riisei (Steenstrup, 1882).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

Heard Is.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, continental slope, epipelagic, oceanic, temperate, tropical.

 

History of changes

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Genus Slosarczykovia Lipinski, 2001

Distribution

IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 12-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Slosarczykovia circumantarctica Lipinski, 2001

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Antarctic endemic extending north to the Sub-Antarctic Front.


IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Distribution References

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 12-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Family CYCLOTEUTHIDAE Naef, 1923


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

The poorly known family Cycloteuthidae Naef, 1923 includes two apparently mesopelagic genera of medium to large species (less than 600 mm mantle length (ML)): the monotypic Cycloteuthis Joubin, and Discoteuthis Young & Roper. Three species are known from the tropical and subtropical waters worldwide; two species have been recorded from Australian waters.

This family was first described from Australian waters by Clarke (1980) who found specimens of Cycloteuthis akimushkini Filippova (now considered to be a junior synonym of C. sirventi Joubin) among the stomach contents of sperm whales caught off Albany, Western Australia. Subsequently, this genus, and beaks assigned tentatively to ?Discoteuthis, were also found in whales from the Tasman Sea (Clarke & MacLeod 1982). Lu & Phillips (1985) recorded Discoteuthis discus Young & Roper from off the south-eastern Australian coast.

The cycloteuthid mantle is not heavily muscular: a central layer of gelatinous connective tissue lies between thin inner and outer layers of strong circular muscle. The head is also covered with moderately thick, semi-gelatinous tissue (Clarke 1980). In contrast to those of the similarly shaped octopoteuthids, the fins in Discoteuthis are separate and insert directly onto the shell sac of the gladius. In Octopoteuthis, the fins are fused and continuous across the dorsal midline, passing over the shell sac. Corresponding differences in the structure of the gladius are also present; in Octopoteuthis, this is thin and fragile, while in Discoteuthis, the gladius is a very thick, rigid supporting structure (Young & Roper 1969).

Little is known about the biology of any species, save that cycloteuthids form part of the diet of sperm whales in the Australasian region (Clarke 1980; Clarke & MacLeod 1982) and elsewhere (Clarke 1983).

The few records of this family provide little conclusive information regarding their vertical distribution. All three species recognised by Young and Roper (1969) have been captured in the upper 200 m at night.

 

Diagnosis

Cycloteuthids are characterised by a subtriangular funnel locking cartilage, biserial toothed or smooth suckers on the arms and tetraserial suckers on the tentacular clubs. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms and light organs are present in adults, around the eyes, on the ventral mantle and at the arm bases in some species. Fins extend anteriorly for more than 70% of the mantle length in adults. In the genus Cycloteuthis, the mantle is elongate posteriorly, forming a distinct tail, and the ink sac bears a single light organ. In Discoteuthis, a tail is lacking, fins are very large and round and only mantle photophores are present. No mature cycloteuthid males have been described in the literature; the form or presence of hectocotylisation remains unknown.

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 26-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Cycloteuthis Joubin, 1919

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Distribution References

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
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Species Cycloteuthis sirventi Joubin, 1919

Distribution

States

New South Wales


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: oceanic, temperate, tropical.

Paralarva: epipelagic, mesopelagic.

 

History of changes

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Genus Discoteuthis Young & Roper, 1969

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

North and central Atlantic Ocean.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Discoteuthis discus Young & Roper, 1969

 

Distribution

States

Victoria


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic, mesopelagic.

Paralarva: mesopelagic.

Oceanic, temperate, tropical.

 

History of changes

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Species Discoteuthis laciniosa Young & Roper, 1969

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Tropical, subtropical Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 14-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Superfamily ENOPLOTEUTHOIDEA Pfeffer, 1900

  • ENOPLOTEUTHOIDEA Pfeffer, 1900.

 

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Family ANCISTROCHEIRIDAE Pfeffer, 1912

Sharpear Enope Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The monotypic family Ancistrocheiridae Gray, 1849 was regarded as a subfamily in the Enoploteuthidae until elevated to familial rank by Clarke in 1988. Members are moderate sized to over 40 cm mantle length (ML) and are found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the the world's oceans.

Clarke (1980) and Clarke & MacLeod (1982) recognised ancistrocheirin squid in the diets of sperm whales from south-western Australia and the Tasman Sea, respectively. At least eight species were recorded by Brandt (1983) from an East Australian Current warm-core eddy. Lu & Phillips (1985) recorded species from the Tasman Sea and the North West Shelf of Western Australia.

The ancistrocheirid life history is incompletely known. In slope waters off New South Wales in the summer months, mature female Ancistrocheirus lesueurii have been recovered from the stomachs of sharks (Dunning et al. 1993)); presumably the egg masses are spawned on the slope. Ripe eggs in mature Ancistrocheirus are large, reaching 3 mm in long axis (Dunning, unpublished data). Paralarvae are unknown.

 

Diagnosis

Ancistrocheirids are characterised by a simple, straight funnel locking apparatus, biserial hooks present on all arms, and tentacular club with biserial hooks but without suckers. Buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of the ventral arms and regularly spaced large, bead-like photophores are present in adults on the ventral and lateral surfaces of the mantle, head, arms and tentacles but not on the eyeballs and viscera. The large fins are subterminal, with slightly convex posterior margins extending almost the entire length of the mantle and without posterior lobes. Nidamental glands are present in females. Hectocotylisation is shown as enlarged protective membranes distally on the edges of the hook-bearing surface of the ventral arms of mature males.

 

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 26-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Ancistrocheirus Gray, 1849


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
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Species Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (d'Orbigny, 1835)

Sharpear Enope Squid

Generic Combinations

  • Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (d'Orbigny, 1835).

 

Distribution

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic Paralarva: planktonic Mesopelagic: temperature, tropical.

 

History of changes

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CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 27-Jul-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Family ENOPLOTEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1900


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

The family Enoploteuthidae Pfeffer, 1900 is a diverse group of small to medium-sized (generally less than 150 mm mantle length (ML)), mesopelagic squid. The family was traditionally considered to comprise three subfamilies: Enoploteuthinae, Ancistrocheiriinae, and Pyroteuthinae, distinguished by the distribution of photophores on the body. The latter two subfamilies were elevated to familial rank by Clarke (1988).

Worldwide about 40 species in four genera are recognised. Eleven species, in three genera, have been reported from Australia. The first enoploteuthid recorded in Australian waters, Enoploteuthis galaxias, was described by Berry (1918) from material collected during the trawling investigations of the F.I.S. Endeavour in Bass Strait. Larvae of three additional species were described by Allan (1945) from the New South Wales coast, and Nesis (1979) provided an overview of the zoogeography of the common oceanic representatives of this family in the Australasian region (including those in Ancistrocheiriinae and Pyroteuthinae).

The numerous photophores externally on the mantle, arms and tentacles are conspicuous. These structures may provide concealment from potential predators through counter-illumination, i.e. the obliteration of the animal's silhouette through bioluminescence from below (Young 1977, 1983).

Enoploteuthid reproductive organs are typically oegopsid, except that nidamental glands are absent and the oviducal glands are strongly developed. Hectocotylisation in males varies considerably between species. In mature males, enlarged protective membranes are evident distally on the edges of the hook-bearing surface of the ventral arms. Spermatophores are transferred to the nuchal crest region of females in some species, but no structures for their storage have been described ( Roper et al. 1969; Riddell 1982).

No comprehensive studies of enoploteuthid life history have been undertaken in Australian waters. While most squids spawn eggs in masses, female enoploteuthids spawn individual eggs into the plankton. Around Hawaii, eggs and larvae of enoploteuthids closely related to species in Australian waters are common in near-surface waters, although spawning locations are unknown (Young & Harman 1986). Preliminary studies provide some indication of reproductive patterns in Australasian waters. Brandt (1983) found multimodal size distributions for Abraliopsis gilchristi from an eddy off the New South Wales coast; probable spawning populations of Enoploteuthis galaxias have been caught in demersal trawls (Dunning & Brandt 1985).

Females of species that mature at about 50 mm ML are capable of producing between 10 000 and 20 000 eggs, the eggs typically with a maximum diameter of 1.2 mm (Kubota et al. 1982; Riddell 1982). Growth rates of enoploteuthid squids have not been studied although the preponderance of large females in populations of many species (Kubota et al. 1982; Riddell 1982; Brandt 1983) suggests that males have shorter life spans than females.

Enoploteuthids are among the most commonly caught squids in midwater trawls, their abundance in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones being reflected in their prevalence in the diets of tunas and lancetfish, sharks and marine mammals (Rancurel 1970, 1976; Wolff 1982; Dunning et al. 1993). Small enoploteuthids feed predominantly on pelagic crustaceans, particularly euphausids; larger individuals also take fish and smaller squids (Riddell 1982).

Enoploteuthids are diel vertical migrators and show ontogenetic descent. Larvae are most abundant between 100 and 150 m during the day, and 30 and 50 m at night (Young & Harman 1986). Adults occur at depths between 300 and 600 m during the day, migrating to the upper 150 m at night (Roper & Young 1975).

No endemic species are recorded from Australian waters, although Enoploteuthis galaxias appears to be restricted to southern Australia and New Zealand. Nesis (1979) assigned nine pelagic enoploteuthid species from the Australasian region to three major species groups, according to whether they are tropical, subtropical and peripheral, the boundaries of their distributions being defined largely by the Tropical and Subtropical Convergences.

 

Diagnosis

Enoploteuthids are characterised by a simple, straight funnel locking apparatus, sharp-toothed suckers or suckers and hooks in biserial rows on the arms and arranged tetraserially on the tentacular clubs. Buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of the ventral arms, and light organs are present in adults. Males have one or both ventral arms hectocotylised. Many small photophores occur on the ventral surface of the mantle, head and arms, and large photophores on the eyeball (adults not more than 150 mm mantle length). The arrangement, size and number of light organs are genus- and species-specific characteristics. Hooks are strongly developed on the arms and on the tentacular clubs. The subterminal fins are lanceolate with slightly concave posterior borders. In many species, the lateral arms are keeled.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Berry, S.S. 1918. Report on the Cephalopoda obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour in the Great Australian Bight and other southern Australian localities. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4: 203-298 pls 59-88

Brandt, S.B. 1983. Pelagic squid associations with a warm-core eddy of the East Australian Current. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 573-585

Clarke, M.R. 1988. Classification of the genera of recent cephalopods. pp. 4-7 in Clarke, M.R. & Trueman, E.R. (eds). Paleontology and Neontology of Cephalopods. The Mollusca. Vol. 12. San Diego; London : Academic Press.

Dunning, M. & Brandt, S.B. 1985. Distribution and life history of deep-water squid of commercial interest from Australia. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36: 343-359

Dunning, M.C., Clarke, M.R. & Lu, C.C. 1993. Cephalopods in the diet of oceanic sharks caught off eastern Australia. pp. 119-131 in Okutani, T., O'Dor, R.K. & Kubodera, T. (eds). Recent Advances in Cephalopod Fisheries Biology. Tokyo : Tokai University Press.

Kubota, T., Iizuka, K. & Okutani, T. 1982. Some biological aspects of Abralia andamanica from Suruga Bay, Japan (Cephalopoda : Enoploteuthidae). Journal of the Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University 15: 333-343

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Rancurel, P. 1976. Note sur les Céphalopodes des contenus stomacaux de Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) dans le Sud-ouest Pacifique. Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 14(1): 71-80

Riddell, D.J. 1982. The systematics, distribution and biology of the Enoploteuthidae (Cephalopoda : Oegopsida) in the New Zealand region. Unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Auckland New Zealand 102 pp.

Roper, C.F.E., Young, R.E. & Voss, G.L. 1969. An illustrated key to the families of the order Teuthoidea (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 13: 1-32

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

Wolff, G.A. 1982. A study of feeding relationships in tuna and porpoise through the application of cephalopod beak analysis. Texas A & M Univ. Tech. Rept. DAR-7924779, 231 pp.

Young, R.E. 1977. Ventral bioluminescent countershading in midwater cephalopods. pp. 161-190 in Nixon, M. & Messenger, J.B. (eds). The Biology of Cephalopods. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. No. 38. London : Academic Press.

Young, R.E. 1983. Oceanic bioluminscence: an overview of general functions. Bulletin of Marine Science 33(4): 829-845

Young, R.E. & Harman, R.F. 1986. Early life history stages of enoploteuthid squids (Cephalopoda, Teuthoidea, Enoploteuthidae) from Hawaiian waters. Vie et Milieu 35(3/4): 181-201

 

History of changes

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Genus Abralia Gray, 1849

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

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Species Abralia andamanica Goodrich, 1896

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal.

 

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Species Abralia armata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)

Generic Combinations

  • Abralia armata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832).

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

Continental slope.

 

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Species Abralia astrolineata (Berry, 1914)

  • Abralia astrolineata (Berry, 1914).
    Type data:
     Holotype NMNH 816428, Kermadec Islands, Raoul [Sunday] Island
    Comment: Holotype washed ashore.

 

Generic Combinations

  • Abralia astrolineata (Berry, 1914).

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

The Australian records are based on few specimens, but the species is likely to occur more widely.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Province (18)

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Species Abralia astrosticta Berry, 1909

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Mesopelagic, tropical.

 

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Species Abralia spaercki Grimpe, 1931

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Demersal, pelagic, tropical.

 

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Genus Abraliopsis Joubin, 1896

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Northwest Province (4), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Species Abraliopsis affinis (Pfeffer, 1912)

Generic Combinations

  • Abraliopsis affinis (Pfeffer, 1912).

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

Juvenile: pelagic.

Planktonic.

 

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Species Abraliopsis gilchristi (Robson, 1924)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Abraliopsis gilchristi (Robson, 1924).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, migratory, tropical.

Continental shelf, continental slope, oceanic, temperate.

Extra Ecological Information

Adult a mesopelagic migrator.

 

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Species Abraliopsis hoylei (Pfeffer, 1884)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Abraliopsis hoylei (Pfeffer, 1884).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Juvenile: temperate.

Continental shelf, continental slope, epipelagic, mesopelagic.

 

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Species Abraliopsis tui Riddell, 1985

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Central Eastern Transition (15), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

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Genus Enoploteuthis d'Orbigny, 1848

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

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Species Enoploteuthis galaxias Berry, 1918

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Continental shelf, continental slope, mesopelagic, oceanic, temperate, tropical.

 

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Species Enoploteuthis leptura (Leach, 1817)

 

Introduction

According to Roper and Jereb (2010), records from the Pacific and Indian Oceans probably refer to Enoploteuthis leptura magnoceani Nesis 1982. This taxon has never been fully described but Tsuchiya and Young (2014) (http://tolweb.org) consider the evidence is adequate to consider it as a valid species. It is possible that the species recognised as E. leptura in Australian waters is actually E. magnoceani. The arrangement of photophores on the ventral mantle differs between the two taxa.

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Gulf of Guinea, eastern and western central Atlantic Ocean, Indo-West Pacific Ocean. (Australian records are based on only a few specimens but the species probably occurs more widely.)


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

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Family LYCOTEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1908


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The family Lycoteuthidae Pfeffer, 1908 contains small to medium-sized squid (less than 200 mm mantle length) that inhabit the pelagic and benthic zone of the upper slope of the continental shelf from the tropical to the warm temperate region. Five species in four genera are known worldwide, assigned to two subfamilies. Lampadioteuthinae Berry, 1916 comprises a single genus, Lampadioteuthis Berry, 1916, diagnosed by presence of four light organs on the eye. Lycoteuthinae Pfeffer, 1908 has five light organs on the eyes and comprises three genera: Lycoteuthis Pfeffer, 1908; Selenoteuthis Voss, 1958; and Nematolampas Berry, 1913 (Roper et al. 1969; Toll 1983).

Pfeffer (1912) described a specimen of Lycoteuthis diadema (Chun, 1900) from south of Western Australia. Lycoteuthis diadema and L. lorigera (Steenstrup, 1875) were recorded for the first time from south-eastern Australian waters by Lu & Phillips (1985). No lampadioteuthine species have been recorded from Australian waters.

The considerable sexual dimorphism in this relatively rare family initially gave rise to taxonomic confusion (Toll 1983). The two nominal species, L. diadema and L. lorigera, are now recognised as conspecific, with Lycoteuthis lorigera having nomenclatural priority (Toll 1983; Forch & Uozumi 1990). Male L. lorigera (reported as L. diadema) diverge from the typical oegopsid pattern in having paired genital ducts (G. Voss 1962), but whether this is characteristic of all lycoteuthids is unknown. No information is available on life histories of any lycoteuthids.

Studies on the feeding biology of a fish, Macruronus novaezelandiae (blue grenadier), from the continental slope around Tasmania, have shown that lycoteuthids are a significant component of the diet of this species (Bulman & Blaber 1986). Around New Zealand, petrels commonly feed on lycoteuthids (Imber 1975), and elsewhere they are preyed upon by sperm whales and dolphins (Clarke 1966). In turn, lycoteuthids feed on fish, including myctophids, and on pelagic crustaceans (G. Voss 1962).

G. Voss (1962) considered that Lycoteuthis lorigera (reported as L. diadema) in the Gulf of Mexico occurs mainly at depths of 300 to 600 m and its larvae in the upper 50 m. Occurrence of this species in demersal trawl catches off eastern Tasmania suggests that it may be associated with the bottom during part of the day. Extensive diel vertical migration is characteristic of the genus Selenoteuthis elsewhere; Roper & Young (1975) suggested that diel migration is typical of the family. Of the four recognised genera, only Lycoteuthis occurs in Australian waters, from off southern New South Wales, Tasmania and South and Western Australia; worldwide this genus occurs in subtropical oceanic waters.

 

Diagnosis

The funnel locking cartilage is simple and straight. The arms have biserial sharp-toothed suckers and the tentacular clubs have tetraserial suckers. The buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of the ventral arms and light organs are present on the viscera, at the apex of the mantle and in some genera on the ventral surface of the eyes. Sexual dimorphism is highly developed in some genera, males having brachial photophores and the mantle photophores larger and more numerous than in the female; in males, the posterior mantle and the dorso-lateral arms are elongate.

 

General References

Bulman, C.M. & Blaber, S.J.M. 1986. Feeding ecology of Macruronus novaezealandiae (Hector) (Teleostei : Merlucciidae) in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37: 621-639

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Forch, E.C. & Uozumi, Y. 1990. Discovery of a specimen of Lycoteuthis lorigera (Steenstrup, 1875) (Cephalopoda: Teuthoidea) from New Zealand and additional notes on its morphology. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 24: 251-258

Imber, M.J. 1975. Lycoteuthid squids as prey of petrels in New Zealand seas. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 9: 483-492

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Pfeffer, G. 1912. Die Cephalopoden der Plankton-Expedition. Zugleich eine monographische Ubersicht der Oegopsiden Cephalopoden. Ergebnisse der Plankton-Expedition der Humboldt-Stiftung 2: 1-815 pls 1-48

Roper, C.F.E., Young, R.E. & Voss, G.L. 1969. An illustrated key to the families of the order Teuthoidea (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 13: 1-32

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

Toll, R.B. 1983. The Lycoteuthid genus Oregoniateuthis Voss, 1956, a synonym of Lycoteuthis Pfeffer, 1900. (Cephalopoda: Teuthoidea). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 96: 365-369

Voss, G.L. 1962. A monograph of the Cephalopoda of the North Atlantic. 1. The family Lycoteuthidae. Bulletin of Marine Science of the Gulf and Caribbean 12: 264-305

 

History of changes

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Genus Lycoteuthis Pfeffer, 1900

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Species Lycoteuthis lorigera (Steenstrup, 1875)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Lycoteuthis lorigera (Steenstrup, 1875).

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania


Extra Distribution Information

Cape Lodi.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic, mesopelagic, nectonic, predator.

Juvenile: epipelagic.

Predator.

 

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Family PYROTEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1912


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Pyroteuthidae Pfeffer, 1912 are small, muscular squid, abundant at mesopelagic depths during the day and in the near-surface waters at night. They are easily recognised by the sharply pointed tail and the separate, almost circular fins. In common with Ancistrocheiridae, the Pyroteuthidae was considered to be a subfamily of the Enoploteuthidae until elevated to family status by Clarke in 1988. Worldwide two genera are known, Pyroteuthis with three species, and Pterygioteuthis with four species. Four species, representing both genera, have been reported from Australian waters (Lu & Phillips 1985).

The arrangement, size and number of light organs in enoploteuthids are genus- and species-specific characteristics; the functional morphology of these organs has been studied intensively in various species. Like enoploteuthids and ancistrocheirids, pyroteuthids have distinctive photophores which function to provide concealment from potential predators through counter-illumination, i.e. the obliteration of the animal’s silhouette through bioluminescence from below (Young 1977, 1983).

In Pyroteuthis species, enlarged protective membranes are evident distally on the edges of the hook-bearing surface of the ventral arms of mature males; hooks are modified by the development of a secondary cusp. In Pterygioteuthis, all hooks are lost and in their place is a single chitinous plate housed in a fleshy pocket midway along the oral surface of the ventral arm. Spermatophores are transferred to the nuchal crest region of females in some species, although no structures for their storage have been described (Roper et al. 1969; Riddell 1985).

No comprehensive studies of pyroteuthid life histories in Australian waters have been undertaken. Brandt (1983) found multimodal size distributions for Pterygioteuthis gemmata Chun, 1908 from an eddy off the New South Wales coast. The same study found evidence for only a unimodal distribution in Pterygioteuthis giardi Fischer, 1895. Congeners may differ in their reproductive patterns.

Riddell (1982), working in New Zealand waters, concluded from size frequency and data on reproductive condition, that Pyroteuthis margaritifera (Rüppell, 1844) and Pterygioteuthis gemmata spawn during a single restricted period in summer; the largest mature females were larger than the males.

Pyroteuthids are short lived. The maximum age of Pterygioteuthis gemmata is estimated to be 78 days for a female of 30 mm mantle length (ML), with sexual maturity reached at 60–65 days (Arkhipkin 1997).

Pyroteuthids exhibit strong diel vertical migration: they stay below 300 m during the day and ascend to the near-surface waters at night (Lu & Clarke 1975; Roper & Young 1975).

 

Diagnosis

Pyroteuthids are characterised by a simple, straight funnel locking apparatus, and sharp-toothed suckers or suckers and hooks in biserial rows on the arms and arranged tetraserially on the tentacular clubs. Buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of the ventral arms and light organs are present on the viscera and eyeballs and embedded in the tentacles, but absent on the surface of mantle, funnel, head and arms. In males, one of the ventral arms is hectocotylised. Hooks are strongly developed on the arms and tentacular clubs of Pyroteuthis species. On the tentacular club of Pterygioteuthis species, sucker rings only are present with slender, pointed teeth on their distal margins. Fins are nearly circular in outline with the sharp conus of the gladius obvious at the posterior tip of the mantle; the lateral arms are keeled.

 

General References

Arkhipkin, A.I. 1997. Age of the micronektonic squid Pterygioteuthis gemmata (Cephalopoda; Pyroteuthidae) from the central-east Atlantic based on statolith growth increments. Journal of Molluscan Studies 63: 287-290

Brandt, S.B. 1983. Pelagic squid associations with a warm-core eddy of the East Australian Current. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 573-585

Clarke, M.R. 1988. Classification of the genera of recent cephalopods. pp. 4-7 in Clarke, M.R. & Trueman, E.R. (eds). Paleontology and Neontology of Cephalopods. The Mollusca. Vol. 12. San Diego; London : Academic Press.

Lu, C.C. & Clarke, M.R. 1975. Vertical distribution of cephalopods at 11°N, 20°W in the North Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 55: 369-389

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Riddell, D.J. 1982. The systematics, distribution and biology of the Enoploteuthidae (Cephalopoda : Oegopsida) in the New Zealand region. Unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Auckland New Zealand 102 pp.

Riddell, D.J. 1985. The Enoploteuthidae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida) of the New Zealand region. New Zealand Fisheries Research Bulletin 27: 1-52

Roper, C.F.E., Young, R.E. & Voss, G.L. 1969. An illustrated key to the families of the order Teuthoidea (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 13: 1-32

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

Young, R.E. 1977. Ventral bioluminescent countershading in midwater cephalopods. pp. 161-190 in Nixon, M. & Messenger, J.B. (eds). The Biology of Cephalopods. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. No. 38. London : Academic Press.

Young, R.E. 1983. Oceanic bioluminscence: an overview of general functions. Bulletin of Marine Science 33(4): 829-845

 

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Genus Pterygioteuthis Fischer, 1895

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Distribution References

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Species Pterygioteuthis gemmata Chun, 1908

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

 

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Species Pterygioteuthis giardi Fischer, 1895

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic.

 

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Genus Pyroteuthis Hoyle, 1904

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Species Pyroteuthis addolux Young, 1972

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: oceanic.

 

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Species Pyroteuthis margaritifera (Rüppell, 1844)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Pyroteuthis margaritifera (Rüppell, 1844).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, continental slope, epipelagic, mesopelagic, nectonic, oceanic.

Paralarva: epipelagic, mesopelagic, oceanic, planktonic.

 

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Superfamily OCTOPOTEUTHOIDEA Berry, 1912

  • OCTOPOTEUTHOIDEA Berry, 1912.

 

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Family LEPIDOTEUTHIDAE Pfeffer, 1912


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The family Lepidoteuthidae Naef, 1912 was considered to include three genera of medium- to large-sized (up to 1000 mm mantle length (ML)), oceanic and continental slope species: Lepidoteuthis, Pholidoteuthis Adam and Tetronychoteuthis Pfeffer (Roper et al. 1969). However, Clarke (1980) restricted the family to include only Lepidoteuthis, and assigned Pholidoteuthis and Tetronychoteuthis to the family Pholidoteuthidae Adam, 1950. The Lepidoteuthidae are now recognised as monotypic.

Rancurel (1970, 1976) reported finding Lepidoteuthis grimaldii Joubin in the stomachs of lancetfish (Alepisaurus) and yellowfin tuna caught in the Coral Sea, and Clarke (1980) and Clarke & MacLeod (1982) found lepidoteuthids among the stomach contents of sperm whales from south-western Australia and the Tasman Sea respectively. Lu & Phillips (1985) also listed Lepidoteuthis grimaldii from the Tasman Sea.

The family is easily recocognised by the presence of ‘scales’, termed dermal cushions by Roper & Lu (1990). These dermal cushions are distinctly diamond-shaped to hexagonal in form, and arranged like fish scales; they lack bony structure. Internally they are vacuolated and contain numerous chambers of irregular size and shape, separated by thin membranous walls. Roper & Lu (1990) suggested that the dermal cushions may serve to store a less dense solution containing ammonium ions, thereby functioning, together with the mantle, as a buoyancy mechanism.

Very little is known about the life history of Lepidoteuthis grimaldii. In addition to the predators listed above, they are also preyed upon by pilot whales, dolphins, deep-sea sharks and scabbard fish (Clarke 1966).

 

Diagnosis

Lepidoteuthids are characterised by the presence of distinct dermal cushions which are diamond-shaped to hexagonal and are arranged like fish scales, although lacking bony structure. The scales occur only on the surface of the mantle; they are absent from the fins. The funnel locking apparatus is simple and straight, suckers are biserially toothed. Adults lack tentacles. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms and light organs are absent. Hectocotylisation in males has not been described

 

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Lepidoteuthis Joubin, 1895

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia


Extra Distribution Information

North-east and south-west Atlantic Ocean, south-west Pacific.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

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Species Lepidoteuthis grimaldii Joubin, 1895

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic, mesopelagic, nectonic, oceanic.

Eggs: epipelagic, planktonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Continental slope, temperate.

 

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Family OCTOPOTEUTHIDAE Berry, 1912


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

The family Octopoteuthidae Berry, 1912 includes two genera, Octopoteuthis and Taningia, of medium to large squid (up to more than 1000 mm mantle length (ML)) characterised by a broad, straight funnel locking apparatus and very broad fins extending almost the length of the mantle. Seven nominal species of Octopoteuthis and one species of Taningia are known. Species from each genus have been reported from Australia. Species characteristics within the genus Octopoteuthis are poorly defined, however, Kelly (2019) has made great inroads into understanding Octopoteuthidae systematics and has recognised 11 Octopoteuthis and five Taningia species.

The genus Octopoteuthis was first recognised from the south-western Pacific by Rancurel (1970). Nesis (1979) also reported occurrence of Taningia danae in the Australasian region. Clarke (1980) provided further records of octopoteuthids from stomach contents of sperm whales off Albany, Western Australia, and Zeidler (1981) reported large moribund Taningia danae from off South Australia.

Kelly (2019) reports five Octopoteuthis from Australian waters. Octopoteuthis rugosa is found between 23° and 44°S and four undescribed Octopoteuthis: one occuring from southern Tasmania to off eastern New Zealand; another from the Indian Ocean, northwestern Western Australia 11°N–20°S, 54–113°E; a third from eastern Australia from north Queensland to New South Wales and the Central to western Pacific Ocean, from 37°N–34°S, between 134°E and 160±2.5°W, and a fourth from off southern Australia. Two Taningia include T. danae with a cosmopolitan distribution in temperate to tropical waters and an undescribed species from off Tasmania througout the Southern Hemisphere between 30° and 50°S.

Larval Octopoteuthis body proportions change rapidly during growth up to 15 mm ML. Eyes which initially appear stalked become sessile at ML of 10 to 15 mm and most specimens also lose their tentacles by this size (Stephen 1986). The mantle of some Octopoteuthis species has a thick gelatinous layer lying external to the pigmented skin-like layer; it is especially thick over the tail region. Clarke (1980) suggested that the presence of longitudinal grooving in the anterior mantle jelly is characteristic of females in at least one species and that this region is where spermatophores are lodged by the males. Clarke (1967) estimated that a female Taningia of 1400 mm ML carries 250 000 ovarian eggs. Life histories are largely unknown for the family.

Octopoteuthids form a significant component of the sperm whale diet off south-western Australia and in the Tasman Sea (Clarke 1980; Clarke & MacLeod 1982), and are also eaten by lancetfish in the Coral Sea (Rancurel 1970) and oceanic sharks off eastern Australia (Dunning et al. 1993).

From their numerical abundance in individual sperm whale stomachs, Clarke (1980) concluded that Octopoteuthis rugosa Clarke, 1980 is a schooling species, but that Taningia species may be solitary or form small groups only. Ontogenetic descent may occur in Taningia, as small specimens occur in the upper 200 m, and adults are more abundant in depths of more than 1000 m (Clarke 1967). According to Roper & Young (1975), larval Octopoteuthis off California are distributed in a narrow depth band from 200 to 400 m during the day, spreading throughout the upper 500 m at night. However, Stephen (1986) was unable to find conclusive evidence of diel variation in the depth distribution of Octopoteuthis larvae collected primarily from the North Atlantic.

 

Diagnosis

Octopoteuthids are characterised by a broad, straight funnel locking apparatus and very broad fins extending almost the length of the mantle. The genus Octopoteuthis has biserial hooks on the arms, and sometimes small biserial suckers at their tips. The tentacles in all larvae bear a few distal club suckers which are lost in adults. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral borders of the ventral arms. Several small, spindle-shaped photophores are present on the tips of all eight arms in the genus Octopoteuthis, and a single very large photophore occurs at the tip of each dorso-lateral arm in the monotypic genus Taningia. Hectocotylisation in males is absent.

 

General References

Clarke, M.R. 1967. A deep sea squid, Taningia danae Joubin, 1931. Symposia of the Zoological Society of London 19: 127-143

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R. & MacLeod, N. 1982. Cephalopod remains from the stomachs of sperm whales caught in the Tasman Sea. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 43: 25-42

Dunning, M.C., Clarke, M.R. & Lu, C.C. 1993. Cephalopods in the diet of oceanic sharks caught off eastern Australia. pp. 119-131 in Okutani, T., O'Dor, R.K. & Kubodera, T. (eds). Recent Advances in Cephalopod Fisheries Biology. Tokyo : Tokai University Press.

Kelly, J.T. 2019. Systematics of the Octopoteuthidae Berry, 1912 (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). PhD thesis submitted to the School of Science, Auckland University of Technology. pp. 334

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

Stephen, S.J. 1986. The distribution of larvae of the genus Octopoteuthis Ruppell, 1844 (Cephalopoda, Teuthoidea). Vie et Milieu 35(3/4): 175-179

Zeidler, W. 1981. A giant deep-sea squid, Taningia sp., from South Australian waters. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 105: 218

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Octopoteuthis Rüppell, 1844

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Southwest Transition (7), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Octopoteuthis rugosa Clarke, 1980

 

Generic Combinations

  • Taningia rugosa (Clarke, 1980).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: bathypelagic, continental slope, mesopelagic, nectonic.

Juvenile: continental slope, epipelagic, planktonic.

 

History of changes

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Genus Taningia Joubin, 1931

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Taningia danae Joubin, 1931

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental slope, epipelagic, nectonic.

Juvenile: continental slope, epipelagic, planktonic.

 

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Superfamily PHOLIDOTEUTHOIDEA Adam, 1950

  • PHOLIDOTEUTHOIDEA Adam, 1950.

 

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Family PHOLIDOTEUTHIDAE Adam, 1950


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

The family Pholidoteuthidae was considered to includes two genera, Pholidoteuthis and Tetronychoteuthis, of medium- to large-sized (up to 1000 mm mantle length (ML)) oceanic and continental slope species (Roper et al. 1969). However, the status of these genera is uncertain. Nesis & Nikitina (1990) considered Tetronychoteuthis to be a nomen dubium. Roper & Lu (1989, 1990) also pointed out the confusion concerning validity of various names associated with these squids. A case needs to be referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, and the taxonomy of this group requires revision. Clarke (1966) suggested that the two currently recognised species in the genus Tetronychoteuthis may be growth stages of Pholidoteuthis boschmai Adam. The genus Tetronychoteuthis is retained in Lu (2001).

A single specimen of Tetronychoteuthis dussumieri was described by Pfeffer (1912) from south of Western Australia. Allan (1945) assigned juvenile specimens caught in plankton nets off New South Wales to Tetronychoteuthis massyae Pfeffer, a species which Pfeffer (1912) considered might represent a juvenile form of T. dussumieri. Rancurel (1970, 1976) reported both T. massyae and Lepidoteuthis grimaldii Joubin, 1895 from the stomachs of lancetfish (Alepisaurus) caught in the Coral Sea, and Clarke (1980) and Clarke & MacLeod (1982) found lepidoteuthids among the stomach contents of sperm whales from south-western Australia and the Tasman Sea, respectively.

The family is easily recocognised by the presence of 'scales' or tubercles. On Pholidoteuthis adami, these 'scales' (called 'dermal cushions' by Roper & Lu (1990)) are irregularly rounded to roughly pentagonal in outline. Internally, they consist of very dense material interspersed with numerous small vacuoles which are thin walled chambers of irregular size and shape. The tubercles in Tetronychoteuthis massyae are stellate, minute and tightly packed. Each tubercle is roundly mushroom shaped in profile, with a slightly concave central disc and a thick base. Roper & Lu (1990) suggested that the dermal cushions, like those on Lepidoteuthis grimaldi, may serve to store less dense solution containing ammonium ions, and, together with the mantle, function as a buoyancy mechanism. The tubercles on Tetronychoteuthis massyae are thought to maintain laminar flow along the boundary layer during locomotion by reducing hydrodynamic drag.

Pholidoteuthis has been caught in demersal trawls in continental slope waters, but only during the day. It seems likely, therefore, that this species leaves the near-bottom waters and disperses into midwater at night (Roper & Young 1975). Clarke (1980) suggested that large individuals of Pholidoteuthis may be solitary or occur in small groups. In the Gulf of Mexico, schools of P. adami have been observed at the surface at night.

 

Diagnosis

Pholidoteuthids are characterised by the presence of distinct 'scales' ('dermal cushions') or tubercles on the mantle, a simple, straight funnel locking apparatus, biserial toothed suckers on the arms and tetraserial suckers on the tentacular clubs. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms and light organs are absent. Hectocotylisation in males has not been described. The dermal cushions in Pholidoteuthis adami are irregularly rounded to roughly pentagonal in outline. Tubercles in Tetronychoteuthis massyae are stellate, minute and tightly packed. Each tubercle is roundly mushroom-shaped in profile, with a slightly concave central disc and a thick base.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R. & MacLeod, N. 1982. Cephalopod remains from the stomachs of sperm whales caught in the Tasman Sea. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 43: 25-42

Lu, C.C. 2001. Cephalopoda. pp. 129-308 in Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 17.2 Mollusca: Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 353 pp. [Date published 3 July 2001]

Nesis, K.N. & Nikitina, I.V. 1989. Revision of the squid family Lepidoteuthidae. Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 69: 39-49

Pfeffer, G. 1912. Die Cephalopoden der Plankton-Expedition. Zugleich eine monographische Ubersicht der Oegopsiden Cephalopoden. Ergebnisse der Plankton-Expedition der Humboldt-Stiftung 2: 1-815 pls 1-48

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Rancurel, P. 1976. Note sur les Céphalopodes des contenus stomacaux de Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) dans le Sud-ouest Pacifique. Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 14(1): 71-80

Roper, C.F.E., Young, R.E. & Voss, G.L. 1969. An illustrated key to the families of the order Teuthoidea (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 13: 1-32

Roper, C.F.E. & Lu, C.C. 1989. Systematics status of Lepidoteuthis, Pholidoteuthis, and Tetronychoteuthis (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 102(3): 805-807

Roper, C.F.E. & Lu, C.C. 1990. Comparative morphology and function of dermal structures in oceanic squids (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 493: 1-40

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Pholidoteuthis Adam, 1950

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Pholidoteuthis massyae (Pfeffer, 1912)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia, Banda Sea.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal.

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 16-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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Genus Tetronychoteuthis Pfeffer, 1900

 

Introduction

WoRMS (accessed 25 May 2023) gives the status of Tetronychoteuthis as 'uncertain > nomen dubium.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria


Extra Distribution Information

North Atlantic Ocean, south Indian Ocean.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

History of changes

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Tetronychoteuthis dussumieri (d'Orbigny, 1839)

Generic Combinations

  • Tetronychoteuthis dussumierii (d'Orbigny, 1839).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: bathypelagic, continental slope, nectonic, temperate, tropical.

Juvenile: continental slope.

Paralarva: bathypelagic, continental slope, planktonic, temperate, tropical.

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 06-Nov-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Family GONATIDAE Hoyle, 1886


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Gonatidae Hoyle, 1886 are medium sized oceanic squid, with a narrow mantle and large rhomboidal or heart-shaped fins. They are common in the temperate and cold regions of both hemispheres and particularly well represented in the boral region of the North Pacific. Worldwide four genera with some 20 nominal species are known (Young 1972; Nesis 1987; Okutani & Clarke 1992). Only Gonatus antarcticus Loennberg, 1898 is known from Australian waters—from off Macquarie Island.

Gonatids are oceanic, but are encountered in continental slope waters off Macquarie Island where they are caught in demersal trawls. In the North Pacific, Gonatus fabricii feeds on a broad range of fish, crustaceans—including copepods, euphausids and amphipods, pteropods and chaetognaths, and are at least partly cannibalistic (Rodhouse & Nigmatullin 1996). Known predators include cod and tunas, whales, seals and gulls (Nesis 1965; Clarke 1966a, 1996b; Croxall & Prince 1996; Klages 1996; Smale 1996). In the Australian Antarctic Territory waters, predators of Gonatus antarcticus include the Emperor Penguin (Gales et al. 1990) and the Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides off Macquarie Island (Lu, unpublished data).

Gonatid reproductive organs are typically oegopsid. Hectocotylisation has not been observed in any males, and the spermatophores are transferred into the mantle cavity (Berryteuthis) or onto the buccal membrane of the female (Gonatus and Gonatopsis) (Nesis 1987).

Little is known about longevity or growth of gonatids. Kristensen (1980) studied the pen length and growth lines in statoliths of Gonatus fabricii and found daily gowth lines. Kristensen (1980) calculated that specimens of about 100 mm pen length were one year old and that two year-classes were found in G. fabricii in West Greenland waters.

 

Diagnosis

Members of the family Gonatidae are medium sized squid with a narrow, muscular to semigelatinous mantle and large rhomboidal or heart-shaped fins. The arms are equipped with 4 rows of suckers (8-12 rows at arm tips in Gonatopsis). In adults, the 2 median rows of suckers on the 1st to 3rd arms are modified to form hooks (in Berryteuthis anonychus the hooks are present only in females and in small numbers). The tentacular club is long and wide (in Gonatopsis tentacles are present only in larvae-absent in adults), bearing many rows of suckers that are sometimes strongly differentiated in size, 1 or 2 large and sometimes several small hooks may develop in the central part of club (in Gonatus only). The funnel locking cartilage is simple, linear and the buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms. Photophores are known to be present only on eyes in one species. There is no hectocotylised arm in males.

 

General References

Clarke, M.R. 1966a. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Clarke, M.R. 1996b. Cephalopods as prey. III. Cetaceans. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1053-1065

Croxall, J.P. & Prince, P.A. 1996. Cephalopods as prey. I. Seabirds. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1023-1043

Gales, N.J., Klages, N.T.W., Williams, R. & Woehler, E.J. 1990. The diet of the emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri, in Amanda Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 2(1): 23-28

Klages, N.T.W. 1996. Cephalopods as prey. II. Seals. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1045-1052

Kristensen, T.K. 1980. Periodical growth rings in cephalopod statoliths. Dana Reports 1: 39-51

Nesis, K.N. 1965. The distribution and nutrition of the young of the squid Gonatus fabricii (Licht.) in the N.W. Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea. Okeanologiya 5: 134-141

Nesis, K.N. 1987. Cephalopods of the World. Neptune City, N.J. : T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Ltd 351 pp.

Okutani, T. & Clarke, M.R. 1992. Gonatidae. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 513: 139-156

Rodhouse, P.G. & Nigmatullin, Ch.M. 1996. Role as consumers. In Clarke, M.R. (ed.) The Role of Cephalopods in the World's Oceans. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1003-1022

Smale, M.J. 1996. Cephalopods as prey. IV. Fishes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1067-1081

Young, R.E. 1972. The systematics and areal distribution of pelagic cephalopods from the seas off southern California. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 97: 1-159

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Gonatus Gray, 1849

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Arctic, boreal and antiboreal regions of the world's oceans.


IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

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Species Gonatus antarcticus Loennberg, 1898

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Antarctic waters with northern limit the subtropical Convergence, in Aust. Antarctic Terr.; only confirmed record from Macquarie Island.


IMCRA

Macquarie Island Province (24)

Ecological Descriptors

Nectonic, predator.

Extra Ecological Information

0–250 m.

 

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Family HISTIOTEUTHIDAE Verrill, 1881


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the monogeneric family Histioteuthidae Verrill, 1881 are medium to large squid (less than 350 mm mantle length (ML)). The family is readily distinguished by many large, anteriorly directed, light organs over the surface of the mantle, head and arms, more concentrated on the ventral surface. Adult histioteuthids have the head large and the left eye considerably larger than the right (N. Voss 1969).

Berry (1918) described the first histioteuthid from Australian waters, Histioteuthis miranda, from a single adult specimen trawled off Gabo Island, Victoria. Larvae of this species were later reported from the New South Wales coast by Allan (1945) and additional species were recognised from the Tasman Sea by N. Voss (1969). Histioteuthid remains of at least eight species were identified from among the stomach contents of sperm whales from south-western Australia and the Tasman Sea (Clarke 1980; Clarke & MacLeod 1982). Eight species in two genera are found in Australian waters. Worldwide there are 18 species in the family (WoRMS, 2024).

The function of the peculiar modification to the eyes was reviewed by Young (1975). The larger eye, which in contrast to its smaller partner is tubular rather than hemispherical, is believed to function primarily at depth during the day detecting down-welling light. In some specimens, the left eye may be twice the size of the right.

The mantle of most species of Histioteuthis d'Orbigny is relatively short, broad and conical and, like the rest of the body, is typically somewhat gelatinous. Histioteuthids are known to be neutrally buoyant (Clarke et al. 1979).

The photophore pattern on the mantle, head and arms, and the presence of enlarged terminal photophores on the arms, are species specific characters and may be used in ventral countershading (Young 1975). No internal light organs are present. A gradation is evident between species in the development of a web connecting the inner margins of the arms; in Histioteuthis macrohista and H. bonnellii the web connects along more than 50% of the arm length. Young (1983) has suggested that the web may conceal the luminescence of struggling prey. In H. meleagroteuthis and H. miranda, a row of small tubercles is present below the epithelium of the midline of the anterior mantle and the basal half of the first three arms (Roper & Lu 1990), becoming less apparent with growth.

Spermathecae are unknown among histioteuthids. Spermatophores were found embedded in the inner surface of the funnel of a female Histioteuthis atlantica recovered from a sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia (Clarke 1980). Mature eggs of H. miranda have a maximum diameter of 0.8 mm.

Little is known about the life history studies of the members of this family. Clarke (1980) found mature female H. miranda among the stomach contents of sperm whales caught off Albany in November and December, but concluded from size frequency data that spawning was likely to occur throughout the year. Maturity is reached at ML approximately 200 to 250 mm in this species off the eastern Australian coast. Clarke (1980) concluded that H. meleagroteuthis probably has a life span of less than two years and, from the degenerate condition of the bodies of some specimens, that death occurs soon after spawning.

From the occurrence of beaks in sperm whale stomachs, Clarke (1980) inferred that histioteuthids are schooling species. Although the family is considered to be primarily mesopelagic (N. Voss 1969), frequently H. celetaria and H. miranda have been caught in deepwater lobster trawls at depths of 300 to 600 m off the North West Shelf and Great Barrier Reef, suggesting that they are associated with the bottom during part of their life cycle.

Histioteuthids are important in the diets of sperm whales (Clarke 1983) and also form part of the diets of yellowfin and albacore tuna, scabbard fish, lancetfish, spotted dolphin (Rancurel 1970; Wolff 1982; Roper et al. 1984) and perhaps albatrosses (Clarke 1983). In turn, adult histioteuthids are omnivorous with fish predominating in their diets (N. Voss 1969; Clarke 1980).

Off Hawaii, Histioteuthis dofleini shows both diel vertical migration and ontogenetic descent. Small squid occur at depths of between 200 and 300 m during the night, descending to 400 to 700 m during the day. Larger adults have been caught at depths of up to 800 m and only occasionally deeper (Young 1975). Other species are more common in waters of 2000 m and only rarely are captured in the upper 200 m (N. Voss 1969).

The known histioteuthid species collected in the Australasian region were considered by Nesis (1979) to be primarily tropical and subtropical/notalian. Of the tropical taxa, H. celetariawas considered to be restricted to waters north of 30°S, H. meleagroteuthis to be more eurythermal, occurring as far as 38°S, and H. dofleini (Now synonymised with Stigmatoteuthis hoyleieven more so, occurring as far south as 44°. The subtropical/notalian H. atlantica and H. macrohista reportedly occur between 35° and 50°S, with greatest abundances between 40° and 45°S. Clarke (1980) examined the depth distribution of three histioteuthid species as indicated by their abundance in the diets of sperm whales taken in different depths off the South African coast. Histioteuthis miranda was most abundant in water depths of less than 1000 m, H. atlantica in waters of between 1000 and 2500 m, and H. bonnellii corpuscula Clarke (= H. bonnellii (Férussac)) in depths of more than 2000 m.

 

Diagnosis

Histioteuthids are characterised by a simple, straight funnel locking apparatus, biserial unmodified toothed suckers on the arms and between four and eight rows of suckers on the tentacular clubs. The family is readily distinguished by the many large anteriorly directed light organs over the surface of the mantle, head and arms, even more concentrated on the ventral surface. Buccal connectives attach to the dorsal border of the ventral arms, and in males both the dorsal arms are usually hectocotylised.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Berry, S.S. 1918. Report on the Cephalopoda obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour in the Great Australian Bight and other southern Australian localities. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4: 203-298 pls 59-88

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R. 1983. Cephalopod biomass — Estimation from predation. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 44: 95-107

Clarke, M.R., Denton, E.J. & Gilpin-Brown, J.B. 1979. On the use of ammonium for buoyancy in squids. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 59: 259-276

Clarke, M.R. & MacLeod, N. 1982. Cephalopod remains from the stomachs of sperm whales caught in the Tasman Sea. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 43: 25-42

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Roper, C.F.E., Sweeney, M.J. & Nauen, C.E. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol.3. Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries. FAO Fish. Synopsis No. 125(3), 277 pp.

Roper, C.F.E. & Lu, C.C. 1989. Systematics status of Lepidoteuthis, Pholidoteuthis, and Tetronychoteuthis (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 102(3): 805-807

Roper, C.F.E. & Lu, C.C. 1990. Comparative morphology and function of dermal structures in oceanic squids (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 493: 1-40

Voss, N.A. 1969. A monograph of the Cephalopoda of the North Atlantic. The family Histioteuthidae. Bulletin of Marine Science 19: 713-867

Voss, N.A., Nesis, K.N. & Rodhouse, P.G. 1998. The cephalopod family Histioteuthidae (Oegopsida): systematics, biology, and biogeography. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 586: 293-372

Wolff, G.A. 1982. A study of feeding relationships in tuna and porpoise through the application of cephalopod beak analysis. Texas A & M Univ. Tech. Rept. DAR-7924779, 231 pp.

Young, R.E. 1975. Function of the dimorphic eyes in the midwater squid Histioteuthis dofleini. Pacific Science 29(2): 211-218

Young, R.E. 1983. Oceanic bioluminscence: an overview of general functions. Bulletin of Marine Science 33(4): 829-845

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 23-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Histioteuthis D'Orbigny in d'Orbigny & Férussac, 1841

Jewel Squid

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Northwest Transition (3), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Distribution References

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 28-Jul-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Histioteuthis atlantica (Hoyle, 1885)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Histioteuthis atlantica (Hoyle, 1885).

 

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Juvenile: planktonic.

Bathypelagic, continental slope, mesopelagic, oceanic, subantarctic, temperate.

 

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Species Histioteuthis bonnellii (Férrussac, 1834)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Histioteuthis bonnellii (Férrussac, 1834).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

North Atlantic S of approx. 50°N, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean off South Africa.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Norfolk Island Province (21), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Distribution References

History of changes

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Species Histioteuthis celetaria G.L. Voss, 1960

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

North subtropical and tropical regions of the Atlantic, subtropical region of the South Atlantic (Histioteuthis celetaria celetaria), tropical or equatorial waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans (Histioteuthis celetaria pacifica).


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Species Histioteuthis eltaninae N. Voss, 1969

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Heard Island


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic, oceanic.

Paralarva: continental slope, planktonic.

Mesopelagic.

 

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Species Histioteuthis macrohista N. Voss, 1969

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: mesopelagic, planktonic, subantarctic.

Bathypelagic, continental slope, mesopelagic, oceanic, temperate, tropical.

 

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Species Histioteuthis meleagroteuthis (Chun, 1910)

 

Generic Combinations

  • Histioteuthis meleagroteuthis (Chun, 1910).

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western South Pacific Ocean


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

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Species Histioteuthis miranda (Berry, 1918)

Generic Combinations

  • Histioteuthis miranda (Berry, 1918).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic.

Paralarva: planktonic.

Continental shelf, continental slope, temperate, tropical.

 

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Genus Stigmatoteuthis Pfeffer, 1900

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

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Species Stigmatoteuthis hoylei (Goodrich, 1896)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean between~45°N and 45°S and in the Indian Ocean between ~10°N and the southern Subtropical Front.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: nectonic Paralarvae: epipelagic, planktonic Mesopelagic: oceanic, temperate, tropical

 

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Family ONYCHOTEUTHIDAE Gray, 1847


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

Members of the family Onychoteuthidae Gray, 1849 are medium to very large oceanic squid (up to 2 m mantle length (ML)), with the mantle strong, muscular and torpedo-shaped. They are common in all oceans. Worldwide seven genera with some 27 nominal species are known, some of which may represent complexes of closely similar species. Four species from three genera have been recorded from Australia.

The first record of the family in Australian waters was Gould’s (1852) description of Onychoteuthis rutilis, (a species now of uncertain status) from off Sydney, New South Wales. Allan (1945) assigned larval onychoteuthids from off New South Wales to this species. Additional species have been recorded from the Australasian Region by Rancurel (1970, 1976), Nesis (1979) and Rancurel & Okutani (1990).

Onychoteuthids are oceanic, but are occasionally encountered in continental slope waters where they are sometimes caught in demersal trawls. They feed on a broad range of fish, crustaceans including krill, other pelagic molluscs and squids, and are at least partly cannibalistic. Known predators include lancetfish and tunas, whales, dolphins, seals and albatrosses (Rancurel 1970, 1976; Clarke 1983).

Onychoteuthid reproductive organs are typically oegopsid, and show little variation within the family. Hectocotylisation has not been observed in any males, although Gilly et al. (1986) noticed that in Moroteuthis from off California, males have a prominent fleshy keel on the ventral arms only. Spermatophores are apparently introduced into the mantle of female Onychoteuthis and Moroteuthis from the elongated penis, through a longitudinal cut made midway between the head and fins of the female, using the beak or perhaps the tentacular hooks. Mature inseminated females of Onychoteuthis borealijaponica Okada, off Japan, display a bright orange colour over the viscera and mantle (Clarke 1980; Murata 1982).

Little is known about the longevity and growth of onychoteuthids. The biology is relatively well known for Onychoteuthis borealijaponica only. This species occurs in the temperate waters of the north-west Pacific, reaches in excess of 300 mm ML, and spawns from late autumn to winter in warmer subtropical waters to the south. Larvae have been found in the upper 150 m of the water column but not at the surface. Growth in adults was estimated at up to 20 mm per month and the life span at approximately one year. Females are generally larger than contemporary males (Okutani & Murata 1983). Off California, Moroteuthis is believed to spawn in submarine canyon areas on the upper continental slope (Gilly et al. 1986). From examination of material collected from sperm whale stomachs, Clarke (1980) concluded that Moroteuthis robsoni Adam spawns on the lower continental slope (2500 m) in the austral autumn off South Africa. Clarke suggested that the young grow to more than 500 mm ML over a period of approximately two years prior to a single spawning, followed by wasting of the body musculature, and death. According to Kubodera et al. (1998) the genus Chaunoteuthis represents spent individuals of other genera of this family, thus this is considered an invalid genus.

Onychoteuthids are schooling species. Juvenile Onychoteuthis are able to glide above the surface to escape predators; sometimes they are found on the decks of vessels, presumably accidently landing there when gliding. Off Japan, Onychoteuthis borealijaponica appears to make a north-south migration from feeding grounds to the warmer spawning grounds (Okutani & Murata 1983); whether such migrations are typical of temperate onychoteuthids is unconfirmed. Little information regarding the vertical distribution of any onychoteuthid species is available. Onykia species share with the much larger ommastrephid, Ommastrephes bartrami, and some epipelagic octopods, the deep blue, dorsal day coloration characteristic of neuston species in general (Roper & Young 1975). The presence of Onykia in the stomachs of lancetfish and yellowfin tuna further confirms its epipelagic distribution (Rancurel 1970, 1976; Fujita & Hattori 1976). Clarke and Lu (1974) recorded juvenile Onychoteuthis banksi from between 100 and 1250 m in the North Atlantic.

 

Diagnosis

The family is characterised by a simple straight funnel locking cartilage, biserial suckers on the arms and biserial hooks on the tentacular clubs, except in the genera Onykia and Kondakovia and the juvenile Moroteuthis, which have two rows of marginal suckers also present on the tentacular clubs. The buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms, and visceral light organs are present in the genus Onychoteuthis. Hectocotylisation is absent in males. The large muscular fins are generally rhomboidal and in some species of Moroteuthis Verrill and Ancistroteuthis Gray; fins and mantle attenuate posteriorly. Numerous distinctive pleats are present in the neck region in Onychoteuthis, and the skin of Moroteuthis and Kondakovia often contains subcutaneous papillae and ridges. In some of the larger species, lateral arms have swimming keels.

 

General References

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Clarke, M.R. 1980. Cephalopoda in the diet of sperm whales of the southern hemisphere and their bearing on sperm whale ecology. Discovery Reports 37: 1-324

Clarke, M.R. 1983. Cephalopod biomass — Estimation from predation. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 44: 95-107

Clarke, M.R. & Lu, C.C. 1974. Vertical distribution of cephalopods at 30°N 23°W in the North Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 54: 969-984

Fujita, K. & Hattori, J. 1976. Stomach content analysis of longnose lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox, in the eastern Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 23(3): 133-142

Gilly, W.F., Horrigan, F. & Fraley, N. 1986. Moroteuthis of Monterey: hatchlings through adults. American Malacological Bulletin 4(2): 241 [abstract only]

Gould, A.A. 1852. Mollusca and shells. United States Exploring Expedition during the years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, under the command of Charles Wilkes, U. S. N. 12: 1-510

Kubodera, T., Piatkowski, U., Okutani, T. & Clarke, M.R. 1998. Taxonomy and zoogeography of the family Onychoteuthidae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 586: 227-291

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Murata, M. 1982. Some information on copulation of the oceanic squid Onychoteuthis borealijaponica Okada. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 48(3): 351-354

Nesis, K.N. 1979. A brief zoogeographic survey of the pelagic zone around Australia and New Zealand (Cephalopods). Trudy Instituta Okeanologii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR. Moskva 106: 125-139 [in Russian]

Okutani, T. & Murata, M. 1983. A review of the biology of the oceanic squid Onychoteuthis borealijaponica. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 44: 189-195

Rancurel, P. 1970. Les contenus stomacaux d'Alepisaurus ferox dans le sud-ouest Pacifique (Céphalopodes). Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 8(4): 4-87

Rancurel, P. 1976. Note sur les Céphalopodes des contenus stomacaux de Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) dans le Sud-ouest Pacifique. Cahiers O.R.S.T.O.M. Serie Océanographique 14(1): 71-80

Rancurel, P. & Okutani, T. 1990. A new species of squid genus Onychoteuthis from the southwest Pacific. Venus 49(1): 25-51

Roper, C.F.E. & Young, R.E. 1975. Vertical distribution of pelagic cephalopods. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 209: 1-51

 

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20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Ancistroteuthis Gray, 1849

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

Atlantic and Pacific oceans.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Distribution References

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Species Ancistroteuthis lichtensteinii (Férussac & d'Orbigny, 1839)

Generic Combinations

  • Ancistroteuthis lichtensteinii (Férussac & d'Orbigny, 1839).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

South-west Pacific, central and south Atlantic.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, nectonic, predator, temperate.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, planktonic, predator, temperate.

 

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Genus Moroteuthopsis Pfeffer, 1908

Distribution

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

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Species Moroteuthopsis longimana (Filippova, 1972)

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Antarctica and reaching northward to South Georgia and Tasman Sea off Macquarie Is.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Epipelagic, nectonic, predator.

Extra Ecological Information

Probably mesopelagic to bathypelagic to 2000 m deep.

 

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Genus Onychoteuthis Lichtenstein, 1818

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Distribution References

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Species Onychoteuthis banksii (Leach, 1817)

 

Generic Combinations

  • hoteuthis banksii (Leach, 1817).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, nectonic, predator, temperate, tropical.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, planktonic, temperate, tropical.

Predator.

 

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Species Onychoteuthis meridiopacifica Rancurel & Okutani, 1990

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

South-west Pacific, abundant in the central water mass of the Pacific.


IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: mesopelagic, nectonic, predator, temperate.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, planktonic, predator, temperate.

 

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Family PSYCHROTEUTHIDAE Thiele, 1920


Compiler and date details

C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

 

Introduction

Members of the family Psychroteuthidae Thiele, 1921 are medium to large sized oceanic squid, with a muscular mantle and rhomboidal fins. They are common in Antarctic waters. The family consists of two species, Psychroteuthis glacialis Thiele, 1921 and an undescribed species (Roper et al. 1969); Iwai (1956) reported another species from the stomach contents of a sperm whale off Bonin Island (see Nesis 1987). In Australian waters only Psychroteuthis glacialis is known, from the Prydz Bay area (Lu & Williams 1994).

In the Prydz Bay area, two distinct size classes of Psychroteuthis glacialis, 4–18 mm mantle length (ML) and 90–210 mm ML with the modes at 13 mm and 135 mm, have been captured (Lu & Williams 1994). Piatkowski et al. (1990) reported capturing, at the same time of the year, specimens belonging to a distinct size class of 100–180 mm ML (mode 130 mm ML) and there large specimens of 330–370 mm ML from the Weddell Sea. These data indicate three distinct year classes may have existed (Lu & Williams 1994). Statolith increments in three specimens of Psychroteuthis glacialis indicate large variations (Jackson & Lu 1994).

The vertical distribution of this species is poorly known, but recent data from Prydz Bay suggested strong ontogenetic descent with the small individuals living at shallow depths and the subadults living on or near the bottom (Lu & Williams 1994). The species feeds on a variety of food, including the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, a fish, Pleuragramma antarcticum, and conspecific squid (Lu & Williams 1994). They have been found in the stomach of the emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri (Gales et al. 1990), southern elephant seals (Klages 1996), and many species of seabirds from the Antarctic (Croxall & Pince 1996).

 

Diagnosis

Psychroteuthids are medium and large squids with the mantle muscular. The fins are rhomboidal with ends attenuate. The arms are equipped with 2 rows of suckers. The wide tentacular club is equipped with 4 rows of unequal-sized suckers in the proximal part and 5 to 7 rows of small suckers in the distal part. The tentacular stalk is equipped with a fixing apparatus. The funnel locking cartilage is simple, slightly bent, and the buccal connectives attach to the dorsal borders of the ventral arms.

 

General References

Clarke, M.R. 1966. A review of the systematics and ecology of oceanic squids. Advances in Marine Biology 4: 91-300

Croxall, J.P. & Prince, P.A. 1996. Cephalopods as prey. I. Seabirds. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1023-1043

Gales, N.J., Klages, N.T.W., Williams, R. & Woehler, E.J. 1990. The diet of the emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri, in Amanda Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 2(1): 23-28

Iwai, E. 1956. Description of unidentified species of dibranchiate cephalopods, I–II. Science Reports of the Whales Research Institute 11: 139-161

Jackson, G.D. & Lu, C.C. 1994. Statolith microstructure of seven species of antarctic squid captured in Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 6(2): 195-200

Klages, N.T.W. 1996. Cephalopods as prey. II. Seals. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 351: 1045-1052

Lu, C.C. & Williams, R. 1994. Contribution to the biology of squid in the Prydz Bay region, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 6(2): 223-229

Nesis, K.N. 1987. Cephalopods of the World. Neptune City, N.J. : T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Ltd 351 pp.

Piatokowski, U., While, M. & Dimmler, W. 1990. Micronekton of the Weddell Sea: distribution and abundance. pp. 73-81 in Arntz, W., Ernst, W. & Hempel, I. The expedition ANTARKTIS VII/4 (Epos leg 3) and VII/5 of RV "Polarstern" in 1989. Berichte zur Polarforschung 68

Roper, C.F.E., Young, R.E. & Voss, G.L. 1969. An illustrated key to the families of the order Teuthoidea (Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 13: 1-32

 

History of changes

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05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
20-Mar-2014 TEUTHIDA 20-Mar-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Psychroteuthis Thiele, 1920

 

Distribution

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

History of changes

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Species Psychroteuthis glacialis Thiele, 1920

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Antarctica, in Aust. Antarctic Terr. confirmed only from Prydz Bay.


Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory

Ecological Descriptors

Depth 200–700 m.

 

History of changes

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Order SEPIIDA Zittel, 1895


Compiler and date details

November 2013 - Dr. Julian Finn, Museum Victoria.

2007 - A.L. Reid, University of Wollongong, Australia

July 2001 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the order Sepiida are mesopelagic or benthic, and include the oceanic ram's horn shell, Spirulidae, the benthic cuttlefishes, Sepiidae, and the bottletailed squid Sepiadariidae.

 

Diagnosis

Mantle either not fused or fused with head at occipital area and regions of mantle and funnel cartilages. Nuchal, mantle, and funnel cartilages present unless fused with head. Ten appendages: 4 pairs of arms and one pair of tentacles. Tentacular stalks retractile, may be retracted into special pockets at bases of tentacles. Arms and tentacles armed only with stalked suckers; suckers with a chitinous ring that is usually denticulate on edge; ring never modified into a hook. Arms short, with shallow or broad web or without web. Fins always present and not connected posteriorly, oval or kidney-shaped, situated on sides of body or near posterior end or extend laterally along entire mantle in form of marginal fin. Hectocotylisation may or may not be present; when present, left ventral arm or both ventral arms are modified. Shell either a calcareous plate, calcareous spiral or absent. Oviduct unpaired, accessory nidamental glands present. All radular teeth unicuspid, or radula absent.

 

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Family SEPIIDAE Leach, 1817


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

July 2001 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the family Sepiidae Keferstein, 1866 are common on the continental shelf and upper slope of the temperate to tropical waters of the Old World. They are found from Japan, China, the Philippines and Indo-Malaya to Australia, eastward to Fiji and westward around the Indian Ocean to the Eastern Atlantic as far north as the North Sea. The family does not occur around the Americas. In the Pacific the easternmost records are from the Marshall Islands and Fiji; no sepiids are known to occur in New Zealand waters.

The family comprises some 100 nominal species. The family was revised in 2023 and found to comprise 13 genera. Thirty-five species in six genera have been reported from Australian waters (Lu & Reid 1997; Lu 1998; Reid 1998; Reid & Lu 1998; Reid 2000, Lupse et. al2023). Until molecular data become available, it is not possible to ascribe all species to these currently recognised genera

The study and naming of cuttlefish dates back to Linnaeus who named the common cuttlefish of Europe Sepia officinalis in 1758. Subsequently, many authors have contributed to the description and naming of members of this family, notably, Lesueur (1821), Férussac and d'Orbigny (1835–1848), Gray (1849), and more recently Voss (1963), Adam (in Adam & Rees 1964), Roeleveld (1972), Roeleveld and Liltved (1985), and Khromov (1987a, 1987b, 1987c; 1990). Despite the numerous published papers dealing with the cuttlefish taxonomy, detailed taxonomic revisions are few. Rochebrune (1884) attempted to monograph the family but the classification he proposed was largely refuted by Adam and Rees (1964). Roeleveld's (1972) monograph clarified the Sepiidae of South African waters. Khromov (1987c, 1990) reported his work on the classification and phylogeny of Sepiidae. Recently, Khromov et al. (1998) and Lu (1998) have provided synoptic reviews of the family, and Lupse et al. provide the most recent revision based on molecular and morphological characters.

The first descriptions of cuttlefish from Australian waters were published in the first half of the 19th century (Lesueur 1821; Gray 1849), but the taxonomy and biology of the Australian cuttlefish are as yet poorly known. Brazier (1892) listed 14 species of Sepia from Australia, among them several names from the South African fauna. Berry (1918) described three species of Sepia from southern Australia. Between 1926 and 1954, Iredale (1926a, 1926b, 1940, 1954) and Cotton (1929, 1931, 1932) described and named 29 and seven cuttlefish taxa, respectively. All were based solely on the sepions; the soft parts of the animals were not described. Adam (1979) reported on the cuttlefish collection in the Western Australian Museum; he described 18 species of Sepia and clarified the status of many of Iredale and Cotton's taxa. Lu & Phillips (1985) and Lu (1998), incorporating Adam's (1979) findings with new data, summarised the status and distribution of the Sepiidae from Australian waters. Roper & Hochberg (1988) after studying the colour pattern and locomotion of Sepia (Metasepia) pfefferi at Lizard Island elevated the subgenus Metasepia to generic status. Lu (1998) recognised 26 species in all three genera, Sepia, Metasepia and Sepiella, from Australian waters; three known only from cuttlebones were designated as of uncertain status. Six further species have been added to the list since the preparation of that paper (Lu & Reid 1997; Reid & Lu 1998; Reid 2000).

Recent work reveals that of the 35 species, 28 are considered to be endemic to Australian waters (Lu & Reid 1997; Lu 1998; Reid 1998; Reid & Lu 1998, Lupse et al.). The figure strongly supports Adam & Rees (1966) assertion that worldwide, the Australian sepiid fauna is among the richest in endemic species.

The normal life-span of the common European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis varies from 18 to 24 months although some individual male may live longer. Mass mortality at the end of the spawning period occurs on the Atlantic Coast; no comparable intensity has been reported in the Mediterranean. In Australia, mass mortality of Ascarosepion apama has been observed in July/August off the coast of New South Wales (Battam, pers. comm.). Examination of two of the individuals involved revealed that the male (382 mm mantle length (ML), 6.2 kg) was mature and the female (300 mm ML, 2.4 kg) immature; the stomachs of both individuals were empty. The cause of such mortality is uncertain. The mass spawning of this species in the Upper Spencer Gulf of South Australia and has attracted the interest of scientists and scuba divers worldwide.

In Sepia officinalis, a positive correlation has been found between temperature and early growth rate, and between maximum size and life span. Negative correlations are reported between maximum size or age and early growth rate, and between temperature and life span (Richard, cited in Boletzky 1983). Pascual (1978), on the basis of rearing experiments, concluded that faster growth at higher temperatures is due to higher food intake; that the efficiency of food conversion is independent of temperature. The growth rate of Sepia apama has been estimated to be 10 mm per month, the animals taking 10 to 12 months to reach adult size (Bell 1979). A large specimen, with ML 460 mm, was estimated to be about four years old.

Cuttlefish may attain sexual maturity at very different sizes. Mangold-Wirz (1963) reported that male Sepia officinalis can be fully mature as small as 6–8 cm ML, while individuals as large as 10 cm ML may still be immature; females also exhibit the same phenomenon, maturing at sizes varying from 11 to 25 cm ML. The same phenomenon has been observed in Acanthosepion pharaonis from the Gulf of Carpentaria where the mature males range from 4.7 cm ML to 14.5 cm ML and mature females range from 14.1 cm ML to 17.4 cm ML; the largest immature female measured 14.3 cm ML (Dunning et al. 1994; Lu, unpublished). The factors responsible for this variation in body size at maturity were found to be the combined effect of temperature and light (Richard, cited in Boletzky 1983).

In Sepia officinalis spawning occurs soon after mating. Eggs are laid in regular intervals of 2–3 minutes over several hours. The egg is 2.5–3 cm in length, 1.2–1.4 cm in the greatest diameter. Each is fixed to any oblong object by means of a ring-shaped basal structure. The ring is produced by the animal which uses its arm tips to draw the gelatinous envelope of the egg into a pair of processes and then winds them round the supporting object so that they stick together (Boletzky 1983). A female may empty her ovary of mature eggs within a few days. Mangold-Wirz (1963) also found that the total number of eggs in an individual varies from 500 to over 1000, depending on the size of the animal. The duration of embryonic development varies with temperature and ranges from 40–45 days at 20°C to 80–90 days at 15°C. Hatchlings of Sepia officinalis have ML 6–9 mm and are similar to the adult in overall features.

Predators on cuttlefishes are many and include the short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhyncha in South Africa (Roeleveld in Clarke 1986), the pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps and the dwarf sperm whale Kogia simus in South Africa (Ross 1979 cited in Clarke 1986), and Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus in the English Channel (Clarke & Pascoe 1985). In Australia, they are known to be preyed upon by the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas and the Australian fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus in Tasmania (Gales et al. 1992, 1994).

The prey of sepiid species consists of a wide variety of organisms. Najai & Ktari (1974 cited in Boletzky 1983) found decapods including Penaeus species, isopods such as species of Sphaeroma, Cymodocea, copepods and ostracods, bivalves, gastropods and pteropods, octopods and decapod cephalopods, polychaetes and nemerteans and fishes in the stomach contents of Sepia officinalis from the coast of Tunisia. Little is known about food of cuttlefish in Australian waters, however, crustacean remains have been found in the stomachs of large numbers of individuals of Acanthosepion pharaonis, Acanthosepion elliptica and Acanthosepion smithi from the Gulf of Carpentaria (Lu 2001).

 

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

SEPIIDAE: Sepia aculeata Van Hasselt in Férussac & d'Orbigny, 1848 [occurrence in Queensland is unconfirmed; Lu, personal communication, regards this species excluded from the Australian fauna; Sepia aculeata occurs in the Indo-Pacific south to Java] — Brazier, J. 1892. Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania. Pt I. Cephalopoda; Pt II. Pteropoda. Sydney : Australian Museum Catalogue Vol. 15 42 pp. (listed species from Australian waters); Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36 (removed species from Australian distribution); Lu, C.C. 2001. Cephalopoda. pp. 129-308 in Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 17.2 Mollusca: Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 353 pp. [Date published 3 July 2001] [185] (listed the species from Australian waters)

 

Diagnosis

The cuttlefish of this speciose family are small to medium sized (although several species reach 50 cm in mantle length), and bear a characteristic calcareous sepion (cuttlebone). The sepion is porous, finely laminated and is located on the dorsal side of the mantle underneath the skin. The spine at the posterior end of the sepion may be absent in some species. The mantle is broad, or slender, robust, elongate oval to circular in outline and slightly flattened dorso-ventrally. The head is robust with prominent eyes that are covered by a transparent membrane; the eyelid has a conspicuous secondary fold. The funnel-mantle locking apparatus is curved to angular in shape. The fins are narrow, lateral to the mantle and occupy almost whole length of the mantle. The posterior end of the fins is not connected to the mantle, but forms a free lobe. The eight arms are equipped with two to four rows of suckers. The tentacles can be retracted into a pocket on the ventro-lateral sides of the head. The tentacular clubs bear four to eight or more (may be more than 20) rows of suckers, depending on the species.

The calcareous shell (sepion) lies under the skin on the dorsal side of the mantle, running almost the entire length of the mantle. The shape of the sepion ranges from lanceolate, oval to rhomboidal. The dorsal side of the sepion is a calcareous plate called dorsal shield. Ventrally the sepion is a series of numerous thin, narrow, oblique septa which are supported by numerous transverse calcareous rods. A spine is present at the posterior end of the sepion in most species, with the exception of Sepiella species and a few species of Sepia.

 

General References

Adam, W. 1979. The Sepiidae (Cephalopoda, Decapoda) in the collections of the Western Australian Museum. Records of the Western Australian Museum 7: 113-212 pls 1-13

Adam, W. & Rees, W.J. 1966. A review of the cephalopod family Sepiidae. Scientific Reports of the John Murray Expedition 11: 1-165

Bell, K.N. 1979. The breeding time and growth rate of Sepia apama (Mollusca: Cephalopoda). Victorian Naturalist 96: 19-20

Berry, S.S. 1918. Report on the Cephalopoda obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour in the Great Australian Bight and other southern Australian localities. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4: 203-298 pls 59-88

Boletzky, S.v. 1983. Sepia officinalis. pp. 31-52 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 1. Species Accounts. London : Academic Press xvii 474 pp.

Brazier, J. 1892. Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania. Pt I. Cephalopoda; Pt II. Pteropoda. Sydney : Australian Museum Catalogue Vol. 15 42 pp.

Clarke, M.R. 1986. Cephalopods in the diet of odontocetes. pp. 281-321 in Bryden, M.M. & Harrison, R. (eds). Research on Dolphins. Oxford : Oxford University Press.

Clarke, M.R. & Pascoe, P.L. 1985. The stomach contents of a Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) stranded at Thurlestone, South Devon. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 65: 663-665

Cotton, B.C. 1929. Contributions to the fauna of Rottnest Island. 4. Western Australian Sepiidae. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 15: 87-94 pls 14-16

Cotton, B.C. 1931. Cuttlebones from Robe, with description of a new species. South Australian Naturalist 12: 39-42

Cotton, B.C. 1932. Notes on Australian Mollusca, with descriptions of new genera and new species. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 4: 537-547

Dunning, M., McKinnon, S., Lu, C.C., Yeatman, J. & Cameron, D. 1994. Demersal cephalopods of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 45: 351-374

Férussac, A. de & d'Orbigny, A. 1834. [1835–1848] Histoire naturelle générale et particulière des cephalopodes acetabulifères vivants et fossiles. Paris : Libraire F. Savy.

Gales, R., Pemberton, D., Clarke, M. & Lu, C.C. 1992. Stomach contents of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tasmania. Marine Mammal Science 8(4): 405-413

Gales, R., Pemberton, D., Lu, C.C. & Clarke, M.R. 1993. Cephalopod diet of the Australian fur seal: variation due to location, season and sample type. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 44: 657-671

Gray, J.E. 1849. Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British Museum. 1. Cephalopoda Antepedia. London : British Museum (Natural History) 164 pp.

Iredale, T. 1926a. The cuttlefish 'bones' of the Sydney beaches (Phylum Mollusca–Class Cephalopoda). The Australian Zoologist 4: 186-196 pls 22, 23

Iredale, T. 1926b. The biology of North-West Islet, Capricorn Group. Marine molluscs. The Australian Zoologist 4: 237-240

Iredale, T. 1940. Marine molluscs from Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Australia, and New Caledonia. The Australian Zoologist 9(4): 429-443, pl. 32-34 [Date published 9 December 1940]

Iredale, T. 1954. Cuttlefish 'bones' again. The Australian Zoologist 12: 63-82 pls 4, 5

Khromov, D.N. 1987a. A new species of Sepia (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) from the north-western South China Sea. Asian Marine Biology 4: 35-40

Khromov, D.N. 1987b. Cuttlefishes of the family Sepiidae (Cephalopoda) in the collection of Zoological USSR Academy of Sciences. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute, Leningrad 171: 174-195 [In Russian]

Khromov, D.N. 1987b. System and phylogeny of the cuttlefish family Sepiidae (Cephalopoda). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 66: 1164-1176 [In Russian]

Khromov, D.N. 1990. Cuttlefishes in the systematics and phylogeny of Cephalopoda. Journal of Ichthyology 30(2): 10-19

Khromov, D.N., Lu, C.C., Guerra, A., Dong, Zh. & Boletzky, S.v. 1998. A synopsis of Sepiidae outside Australian waters (Cephalopoda: Sepioidea). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 586: 77-139

Lesueur, C.A. 1821. Descriptions of several new species of cuttlefish. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 2: 86-101

Lu, C.C. 1998. A synopsis of Sepiidae in Australian waters (Sepioidea: Cephalopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 586: 159-190

Lu, C.C. 2001. Cephalopoda. pp. 129-308 in Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 17.2 Mollusca: Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 353 pp. [Date published 3 July 2001]

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Lu, C.C. & Reid, A.L. 1997. Two new species of cuttlefish from northwestern Australian waters with a redescription of Sepia sulcata Hoyle, 1885 (Sepiidae: Cephalopoda). Records of the Western Australian Museum 18(3): 277-310

Lŭpse, N., Reid, A., Taitre, M., Kubodera, T. & Allcock, A.L. 2023. Cuttlefishes (Cephalopoda, Sepiidae): the bare bones—an hypothesis of relationships. Marine Biology [Date published 16 Jun 2023]

Mangold-Wirz, K. 1963. Biologie des céphalopodes benthiques et nektoniques de la Mer Catalane. Vie et Milieu Suppl. 13: 1-285 pls 1-4

Pascual, E. 1978. Crecimiento y alimentacion de tres generaciones de Sepia officinalis en cultivo. Investigacion Pesquera 42: 421-442

Reid, A. 1998. A complete description of Sepia mira (Cotton 1932) (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) from eastern Australia. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 119: 155-171

Reid, A. 2016. Post-mortem drift in Australian cuttlefish sepions: its effect on the interpretation of species ranges. Molluscan Research 36(1): 9-21 [Date published 2016]

Reid, A. & Lu, C.C. 1998. A new Sepiella Gray, 1849 (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) from northern Australia, with a redescription of Sepiella weberi Adam, 1939. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 14: 71-102

Reid, A.L. 2000. Australian cuttlefishes (Cephalopoda : Sepiidae): the 'doratosepion' species complex. Invertebrate Taxonomy 14: 1-76

Rochebrune, A.T. 1884. Etude monographique de la famille des Sepiadae. Bulletin de la Société Philomathique de Paris 7 8: 74-122 pls 3-6

Roeleveld, M.A. 1972. A review of the Sepiidae (Cephalopoda) of South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum 59: 191-313

Roeleveld, M.A. & Liltved, W.R. 1985. A new species of Sepia (Cephalopoda, Sepiidae) from South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum 96(1): 1-18

Roper, C.F.E. & Hochberg, F.G. 1988. Behavior and systematics of cephalopods from Lizard Island, Australia, based on color and body patterns. Malacologia 29(1): 153-193

Voss, G.L. 1963. Cephalopods of the Philippine Islands. United States National Museum Bulletin 234: 1-180

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 15-May-2023 MODIFIED
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Acanthosepion Rochebrune, 1884

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Acanthosepion ellipticum (Hoyle, 1885)

Ovalbone Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 28-Jul-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Acanthosepion pharaonis (Ehrenberg, 1831)

Pharaoh Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from 18º36΄S, 146º28΄47΄΄E to 20º26΄59΄΄S, 115º1΄48΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 1-130 m.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, predator.

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [71] (Pharaoh Cuttlefish)

 

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 16-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Acanthosepion smithi (Hoyle, 1885)

Smith's Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from 27º13΄11΄΄S, 153º45΄E to 20º19΄47΄΄S, 118º15΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 33-138 m.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, predator.

Predator.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Genus Ascarosepion Rochebrune, 1884


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Ascarosepion apama (Gray, 1849)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Southern Australia from Moreton Bay 27º25'S, 153º20'E, possibly as far north as Shoalwater Bay, Queensland (22º30'S) to Point Cloates, Western Australia (22º43'S, 11º40'E). Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Depth range 1-100 m.


IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Inshore

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 28-Jul-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Ascarosepion bandense (Adam, 1939)

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from 01º25΄N, 125º15΄E to 8º25΄S 115º05΄E (based on whole animal specimen records).


IMCRA

Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Ascarosepion cultratum (Hoyle, 1885)

Knifebone Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 01-Aug-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Ascarosepion latimanus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)

Broadclub Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

North-western and north-eastern Australia from 14º35΄59΄΄S, 145º37΄12΄΄E to 21º26΄59΄΄S, 151º40΄48΄΄E (based on whole animal specimens). Depth range 8-45 m.


IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 16-Sep-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Ascarosepion mestus (Gray, 1849)

Reaper Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Ascarosepion mestus (Gray, 1849).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Australia from 10º58΄48΄΄S, 144º1΄12΄΄E to 43º6΄S, 147º15΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 0-22 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: intertidal.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Ascarosepion novaehollandiae (Hoyle, 1909)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Southern Australia from Southern Australia from 37º25΄47΄΄S, 149º56΄59΄΄E to 18º55΄47΄΄S, 118º45΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 15-348 m.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Ascarosepion opiparum (Iredale, 1926)

Magnificent Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

 

Generic Combinations

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from Northern Australia from 36º57΄S, 151º 45΄E to 26º25΄12΄΄S, 112º35΄59΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 83-184 m.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Inknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 16-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Ascarosepion papuense (Hoyle, 1885)

Papuan Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern, northeastern and northwestern Australia from 23º26΄59΄΄S, 151º55΄11΄΄E to 25º19΄12΄΄S, 113º37΄47΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 10-155 m.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 16-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
22-Mar-2011 MODIFIED

Species Ascarosepion pfefferi (Hoyle, 1885)

Pfeffer's Flamboyant Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from 26º34΄12΄΄S, 153º40΄11΄΄E to 20º19΄47΄΄S, 118º15΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 3-86 m.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, subtropical, tropical.

Tropical.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Ascarosepion plangon (Gray, 1849)

Mourning Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern and northern Australia from 14º37΄48΄΄S, 145º24΄E to 34º34΄12΄΄S, 151º11΄59΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 1-83 m.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, predator.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Ascarosepion rozellum (Iredale, 1926)

Rosecone Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Australia from 23º26΄59΄΄S, 151º55΄11΄΄E to 36º49΄47΄΄S, 149º58΄47΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 5-183 m.


IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Genus Aurosepina Jothinayagam, 1987

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Aurosepina arabica (Massy, 1916)

  • Aurosepina arabica (Massy, 1916).
    Type data:
     Syntype(s) ZSI M8113/1, M8122/1 2 syntypes, Laccadive Sea and Persian Gulf.

 

Generic Combinations

  • Aurosepina arabica (Massy, 1916).

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Genus Decorisepia Iredale, 1926

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Decorisepia hedleyi (Berry, 1918)

Hedley's Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Decorisepia hedleyi (Berry, 1918).
  • Sepia rex (Iredale, 1926).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Southern Australia, from Queensland 23º26΄59΄΄S, 151º55΄11΄΄E to 33º10΄12΄΄S, 127º55΄12΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 47-856 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: demersal.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Genus Doratosepion Rochebrune, 1884

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Doratosepion braggi (Verco, 1907)

Slender Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Doratosepion braggi (Verco, 1907).

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Southern Australian from 36º22΄48΄΄S, 150º7΄12΄΄E to 33º57΄0΄΄S, 115º4΄11΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 30-86 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf, predator.

Predator.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 16-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Doratosepion limatum (Iredale, 1926)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Australia from 26º30΄S, 153º43΄47΄΄E to 33º58΄47΄΄S, 151º16΄12΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 17–183 m.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Hemisepius Steenstrup, 1875

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 19-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Genus Sepia Linnaeus, 1758

 

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

SEPIIDAE: Sepia capensis d'Orbigny, 1845 — Adam, W. & Rees, W.J. 1966. A review of the cephalopod family Sepiidae. Scientific Reports of the John Murray Expedition 11: 1-165

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan, excluding waters around the Americas, New Zealand and the polar regions.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Lord Howe Province (14), Timor Province (2), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
16-Jun-2022 CEPHALOPODA 15-May-2023 MODIFIED
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
05-Jun-2024 MODIFIED

Species Sepia baxteri (Iredale, 1940)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Sepia baxteri (Iredale, 1940).

 

Ecological Descriptors

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia bidhaia Reid, 2000


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

  • Type data:
     Holotype NMV F82478 ♂, Australia, Queensland, 250 m [17°55.8'S 146°58.2'E].
    Paratype(s) NMV F82461 4♂, 250 m [17°55.8'S 146°58.2'E]; QM Mo61820 ♂, 250 m [17°55.8'S 146°58.2'E]; NMV F82464 4♂, 252–250 m [17°57.6–59.9'S 147°00.3–02.9'E]; NMV F82465 2♂ 5♀, 244 m [18°39.3'S 148°03.4'E]; QM Mo61821 ♂, 244 m [18°39.3'S 148°03.4'E]; NMV F82466 3♂ 3♀, 204 m [18°40.8'S 148°02.8'E]; QM Mo61822 2♀, 204 m [18°40.8'S 148°02.8'E]; NMV F82468 ♂, 254–246 m [22°06.1–08.7'S 153°18.3–20.6'E].

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Queensland, off the Great Barrier Reef, 17º20΄42΄΄S, 146º41΄30΄΄E to 22º11΄33΄΄S, 153º11΄43΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 200–304 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Mud bottom.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepia chirotrema Berry, 1918


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Southern Australia from 36º32΄59΄΄S, 136º30΄E to 19º15΄S, 117º43΄11΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 120-210 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia cottoni Adam, 1979


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia from 19º04΄24΄΄S, 118º47΄30΄΄E to 33º45΄12΄΄S, 114º28΄36΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 83–183 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia grahami Reid, 2001

Ken's Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2012 - Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Australia, New South Wales from 28º37΄47΄΄S, 153º24΄E to 36º40΄12΄΄S, 150º3΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 2-84 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Distribution References

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
SEPIIDA 30-Jul-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Species Sepia irvingi Meyer, 1909


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia from 18º49΄S, 118º29΄΄E to 19º12.06΄S, 116º12΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 130-170 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

Predator.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia koilados Reid, 2000


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia, North West Shelf, Western Australia, North West Shelf 19º12΄06΄΄S, 116º25΄12΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 182–203 m.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Mud bottom, rock bottom, silt bottom.

Extra Ecological Information

Limestone.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepia mira (Cotton, 1932)


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Australia from 14º40΄11΄΄S, 145º28΄11΄΄E to 30º16΄48΄΄S, 156º13΄11΄΄E (based on while animal specimen records). Depth range 20-72 m.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Distribution References

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 01-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia plana Lu & Reid, 1997


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

North West Shelf from 12º4΄12΄΄S, 122º49΄47΄΄E to 17º55΄12΄΄S, 118º15΄36΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 396-505 m.

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia reesi Adam, 1979


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia, Rottnest Island, Salmon Bay, 32º00'S 115º30'E. Known only from cuttlebone.

Known only from type locality.


IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia rhoda (Iredale, 1954)


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Sepia rhoda (Iredale, 1954).

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern and northeastern Australia from 10º24΄S, 130º23΄E to 114º48΄12΄S 20º47΄48΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 64–184 m.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia senta Lu & Reid, 1997


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia, North West Shelf, 12º04΄S, 122º51΄E to 18º35΄S, 117º29΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 256-426 m.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Mud bottom.

Extra Ecological Information

Soft muddy substrate.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepia sulcata Hoyle, 1885

Grooved Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northwestern Australia from 18 º10΄S, 118º18΄E to 17º17΄S, 120º12΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 150-404 m.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Mud bottom, rock bottom, silt bottom.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepia tanybracheia Reid, 2000


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northwestern Australia 12º37΄S, 123º44΄ (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 200-205 m.

Known only from type locality.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepia vercoi Adam, 1979


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northwestern Australia, 18°31´S 118°09´E to 25°31´S 112°29´E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 76–201 m.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: oceanic.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepia whitleyana (Iredale, 1926)

Whitley's Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Sepia whitleyana (Iredale, 1926).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Northern and eastern Australis from 14º37΄48΄΄S, 145º24΄E to 35º30΄S, 150º48΄E (based on while animal specimen records). Depth range 0-128 m.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, predator.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Sepiella Gray, 1849


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepiella mangkangunga Reid & Lu, 1998


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from 12º52΄48΄΄S, 130º16΄48΄΄E to 11º57΄36΄΄S, 135º5΄24΄΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range 1.1-3.3 m.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Sand bottom.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepiella weberi Adam, 1939

Web's Cuttlefish


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northwestern Australia from 10º58΄12΄΄S, 132º19΄11΄΄E to 19º34΄47΄΄S, 117º12΄E (based on whole animal specimen records). Depth range from shallow waters to 88 m.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: continental shelf.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth surface to 88 m.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 19-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Order SEPIOLIDA Fioroni, 1981


Compiler and date details

July 2001 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

  • SEPIOLIDA Fioroni, 1981.

 

Introduction

The Sepiolida is very diverse, and comprises the families Sepiadariidae (with two genera and five nominal Australian species); the Sepiolidae that includes the benthic Sepiolinae (with five genera and seven species); the pelagic Heteroteuthinae (three genera and five species in Australian waters) and the benthic Rossinae with two genera, each with a single species. While diverse, the monophyly of the Sepiolida has been supported in numerous studies, including the comprehensive molecular studies of Fernandez-Alvarez et al. (2021) and Sanchez et al. (2021).

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

Diagnosis

Mantle oval with posterior end widely rounded or elongate with posterior end slightly narrowed and bluntly pointed. Ten appendages present: 4 pairs of arms and one pair of tentacles. Tentacular stalks retractile, but not retracted into special pockets at bases of tentacles. Suckers stalked, with chitinous ring usually having the edge denticulate; ring never modified into a hook. Arms connected by webs and in some, web between 3rd and 4th arms envelops tentacle bases on outside only, without forming sac. Fins always present, variable; oval or kidney-shaped, located in middle or somewhat posterior of middle of mantle or near posterior end, not joined posteriorly. Anterior edge of mantle may or may not be fused with head dorsally. Nuchal, mantle, and funnel cartilages usually present except where mantle and head fused dorsally. Funnel cartilages simple; mantle edge near mantle cartilages straight, without protruding 'angles'. Shell either a thin chitinous vestige or absent altogether. Hectocotylisation variable: both dorsal arms or one ventral arm hectocotylised, sometimes lateral arm pairs also modified; in some species hectocotylisation is almost inconspicuous. Oviduct unpaired, accessory nidamental glands present. All radular teeth unicuspid or multicuspid (as in Idiosepius).

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 14-May-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 06-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Family SEPIADARIIDAE Fischer, 1882

Bottletail Squids


Compiler and date details

July 2001 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Members of the Sepiadariidae Fischer, 1882 are small to medium sized sepiolid-like cephalopods. They are benthic dwellers found on the shelf of Indo-west Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. The genus Sepioloidea includes five described species, two of which, S. lineolata and S. magna are found in Australian waters. Sepiadarium, with five nominal species is found in the Indo-west Pacific northwards to Japan. Three species, S. kochii, S. auritum and S. austrinum are found in Australian waters. The latter two species are Australian endemics. It appears that the distribution of S. kochii extends further north into the tropics.

The first sepiadariid described was Sepiola lineolata Quoy & Gaimard, 1832 (now known as Sepioloidea lineolata) from Jervis Bay, New South Wales (now Australian Capital Territory). d'Orbigny (1839, in Férussac & d'Orbigny 1835–48) recognised it as distinct from Sepiola, and transferred it to a new genus, Sepioloidea. In 1881, Steenstrup erected a new genus Sepiadarium to accommodate his new species S. kochi and grouped Sepiadarium, Idiosepius, Sepiodeidea and Spirula in the family Sepio-Loliginei (Subfamily Sepiadarii). Shortly after, Fischer (1882) created the family Sepiadariidae, restricting it to include only Sepiadarium and Sepioloidea. The first Australian record of a member of Sepiadarium is the description of S. auritum from the Monte Bello Islands by Robson in 1914. Berry (1921) described an additional species S. austrinum, from Gulf St Vincent, South Australia; subsequently, Cotton & Godfrey (1940) recorded S. kochi from South Australia. Recent collecting failed to confirm the latter record and none of Cotton & Godfrey's material can be found in the South Australian Museum, thus their record of S. kochi in South Australia must be regarded as erroneous. However, the presence of S. kochi in tropical northern Australia has been confirmed.

Eggs and hatchlings of Sepioloidea lineolata were described by Dew (1959). The opaque eggs, white and 10 mm in diameter, were attached individually to rocks by a short stalk. Immediately prior to hatching, one end of the egg began to bulge, the bulge enlarged slightly and with larval movement the bulge finally ruptured and the hatchling shot out, posterior end of the mantle first. Dew (1959) reported that it took 16 days for all the eggs under observation to hatch, indicating that the collected eggs were not of the same age. The young hatchlings, 9–10 mm long and about 4 mm wide, resembled adults in colour and shape. They swam in short jerks for a few minutes after hatching and then settled to the bottom. They were negatively phototropic, and upon settling, proceeded to dig into the sand in the same manner as the adults: with a jerk downwards and forwards and then downwards and backwards. By repeating these movements several times, they quickly disappeared into the sand, leaving only their eyes showing. Sepiadarium austrinum collected from Port Phillip Bay also exhibit this behaviour in the aquarium (Lu, unpublished data). Small amphipods and other small crustacea are the preferred food of the young Sepioloidea lineolata. They stalk and capture their prey in the same way as the adults.

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

Diagnosis

The body is short and narrow, with ear-like fins that are attached to the lateral sides of the body. The mantle is fused with the head on the dorsal side and with the funnel on the ventral side (in the genus Sepiadarium), or is connected (articulated) with the funnel by a unique locking apparatus (Sepioloidea). The funnel member of the locking apparatus is sole-shaped in outline with a broader deeper anterior pit and a shallower, longer and narrower posterior groove. The mantle cartilage is the complement of the funnel member, consisting of a larger, higher anterior knob and a narrow, lower posterior ridge. The arms are short and are connected by a deep web, particularly around the tentacular base, forming a sac into which the tentacle may retreat. The arms are equipped with two rows of suckers on the proximal part, increasing to four to eight rows distally in some species. In mature males, the left ventral arm is hectocotylised by the disappearance of suckers and transformation of sucker stalks into papillae and small lamellae. The gladius and luminous organs are absent.

In Sepiadarium species, the dorsal mantle surface is covered with large white leucophores surrounded by many smaller red-brownish chromatophores; these are absent in Sepioloidea. The Australian Sepioloidea lineolata has fringed anterior dorso-lateral mantle margins, a feature not seen in other members of the family, in all of which the mantle surface and edges are smooth. Sepioloidea lineolata also differs in having on the dorsal mantle surface a series of longitudinal stripes which, according to Dew (1959), are either blue or more often brown in life, and many round, blunt papillae scattered on the ventral mantle surface particularly towards the edges of the mantle.

 

General References

Berry, S.S. 1921. A review of the cephalopod genera Sepioloidea, Sepiadarium and Idiosepius. Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 1: 347-364

Cotton, B.C. & Godfrey, F.K. 1940. The Molluscs of South Australia. Part 2. Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda, Aplacophora and Crepipoda. Adelaide : Government Printer 600 pp.

Dew, B. 1959. Some observations on the development of the Australian squid Sepioloidea lineolata Quoy & Gaimard, 1832. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales 1957–58: 53-55

Férussac, A. de & d'Orbigny, A. 1834. [1835–1848] Histoire naturelle générale et particulière des cephalopodes acetabulifères vivants et fossiles. Paris : Libraire F. Savy.

Fischer, P. 1882. Manuel de Conchyliologie et de paléontologie conchyliologique on histoire naturelle des mollusques vivants et fossiles. Paris : Librairie F. Savy 1369 pp.

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Quoy, J.R.C. & Gaimard, J.P. 1832. Mollusques. pp. 1–320 in, Zoologie du voyage de l'Astrolabe sous les ordres du Capitane Dumont d'Urville, pendant les années 1826–1829. Zoologie. 2 vols Paris : J. Tastu, Editeur-Imprimeur.

Robson, G.C. 1914. Cephalopoda from the Monte Bello Islands. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1914: 677-680

Steenstrup, J.J. 1881. Sepiadarium og Idiosepius to nye slaegter af Sepiernes familie. Med Bemaerkninger om de to beslaegtede former Sepioloidea d'Orb. og Spirula Lamarck. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes. Selskabs Skrifter. Kjøbenhavn 6: 213-242

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [119] (Bottletail Squids)

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 04-Nov-2013 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Sepiadarium Steenstrup, 1881


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific region.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepiadarium auritum Robson, 1914


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Western Australia, off Hermite Island, Monte Bello Group.

Known only from type locality.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: subtropical.

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepiadarium austrinum Berry, 1921

Southern Bottletail Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

Extra Ecological Information

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 27-May-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepiadarium kochii Steenstrup, 1881

Koch's Bottletail Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

Extra Ecological Information

Unknown.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 17-Apr-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Genus Sepioloidea D'Orbigny in Férussac & d'Orbigny, 1839


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Eastern, southern and western Australia


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 16-Sep-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepioloidea lineolata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)

Striped Pyjama Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Generic Combinations

 

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Coastal, demersal, marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Nov-2013 SEPIIDA 16-Sep-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED

Species Sepioloidea magna Reid, 2009

 

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Timor and Arafura Seas from 8°47'S, 132°21'E to 18°29'S, 117°42'E. Depth range 224-426 m.


IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 24-Jun-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Family SEPIOLIDAE Leach, 1817


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

July 2001 - C.C. Lu, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Sepiolids are small animals of less than 10 cm mantle length (ML). The Sepiolidae Leach, 1817 is very speciose family, comprising 10 genera in three subfamilies: Sepiolinae Appellöf, 1898; Heteroteuthinae Appellöf, 1898; and Rossiinae Appellöf, 1898. In Australian waters, the subfamily Sepiolinae is represented by several species in the genera Amutatiola, Dextrasepiola, Eumandya, Euprymna and Sepiolina; Heteroteuthinae is represented by several species of the genera Heteroteuthis, Iridoteuthis and Stoloteuthis; and Rossinae is represented by several species in the genera Austrorossia and Neorossia. Fourteen species in total are known from Australian waters, with some yet to be described.

Although this is a large and diverse family with members occurring in all oceans, it has never been reviewed taxonomically in great detail. Naef (1923), Sasaki (1929) and Voss (1955, 1956, 1963) have treated regional faunas, i.e., the Mediterranean, Japanese, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and the Philippines faunas, respectively in some detail, but Joubin's (1902) work, until recently, remained the only major taxonomic revision on a worldwide basis. Bello (2020), Fernandez-Alvarez et al.(2021) and Sanchez et al. (2021) have provided considerable insights into the family and relationships among genera based on morphological and molecular data.

The first Australian record of a member of this family is of Sepiola tasmanica, described from a specimen from Bass Strait (Pfeffer 1884), and currently known as Euprymna tasmanica (Sepiolinae). Brazier (1892), in his catalogue of cephalopods from Australia, listed Sepiola rondeletii, Inioteuthis stenodactyla, and Inioteuthis tasmanica; the identity of the animal Brazier referred to as Sepiola rondeletii is unclear; the other two species are now referred to the genus Euprymna. Berry (1918) described Rossia australis (Rossinae) from the Great Australian Bight. Allan (1945) described Heteroteuthis serventyi (Heteroteuthinae) from near Jervis Bay, New South Wales (although the staus of this taxon remains incertain). Lu & Phillips (1985) published the first Australian records of the genera Iridoteuthis and Sepiola (from unidentified species) and of Sepiolina nipponensis. Adam (1986) described Euprymna hoylei from northern Western Australia and Reid (1991) reviewed the Australian Rossiinae and described Neorossia leptodons from south-eastern Australia. Norman & Lu (1997) redescribed Euprymna tasmanica from southern Australia and revised the genus. New genera and species have since been added to the Australian fauna recently, with Iridoteuthis merlini described by Reid (2021) and Amutatiola macroventosa and Dextrasepiola taenia described by Lu & Okutani (2022). In addition, Stoloteuthis maoria and Heteroteuthis hawaiiensis from New Zealand and Hawaii respectively are now known to occur in Australian waters. Originally described by in Reid in 2011 as Euprymna pardalota, Bello's (2020) review placed this taxon in a new genus, Eumandya.
.
Little is known of the life history and biology of most sepiolids, and nothing is known about food and feeding of Australian sepiolids. A study on Rossia pacifica, a species common in the North Pacific, from Japan to California, reported that 80% of their diet in their natural habitat consists of shrimps, crabs, small fishes and cephalopods (Brocco 1970; Hochberg & Fields 1980). Aside from Lu (2001), data on non-Australian sepiolids are derived largely from diets given in laboratory rearing experiments. For example, Rossia macrosoma of the Mediterranean Sea was fed live prawn (Boletzky & Boletzky 1973). Euprymna berryi, a species found in China, Japan and Korea, has been reared on live mysids (Choe & Oshima 1963; Choe 1966). Adult Euprymna scolopes, from Hawaii, were reared on adult Leander debilis and Gambusia affinis. Laboratory-hatched young of E. scolopes were fed Anisemysis, Artemia salina and occasionally newly hatched Octopus cyanea (Arnold et al. 1972). Boletzky et al. (1971) reared six sepiolid species in the Mediterranean in a laboratory (Sepiola rondeleti, S. robusta, S. affinis, S. ligulata, Sepietta obscura, and S. neglecta): young animals were fed mysids (Leptomysis mediterranea); older juveniles and adults were fed Leander species. Boletzky (1983) also fed Sepiola robusta with crangonid shrimps of the genus Philocheras. Bergstrom & Summers (1983) successfully cultured Sepietta oweniana in aquaria, feeding juveniles on mysids (Praunus flexuosus and P. inermis), amphipods (Ericthonius) and large copepods; on rare occasions cannibalism occurred. The adults were fed one of the mysids (Praunus flexuosus) as well as shrimps (Palaemon elegans, Thoralus cranchii and Crangon crangon).

Much of the information on eggs and egg-laying also derives from laboratory studies. In aquarium studies (English 1981), Euprymna tasmanica laid eggs individually; the eggs were attached to the substratum and to adjoining eggs in the clutch. Each egg was coated with a tough, opaque gelatinous capsule, and development took approximately 29 days at 20°C. Similar eggs have been described for another sepioline, Sepiola robusta (Boletzky 1987). Nothing is known about the eggs of Australian Rossinae and Heteroteuthinae. Rossia palpebrosa of the North Atlantic laid eggs in sponges (Akimushkin 1963; Aldrich & Lu 1968), Rossia macrosoma laid in bivalve shells (Boletzky & Boletzky 1973), and Rossia pacifica attached its eggs, singly or in small groups, to seaweed or other objects on the bottom (Hochberg & Field 1980).

Most benthic sepiolids (Rossinae and Sepiolinae) bury themselves in the soft bottom sediments during the day. This 'burrowing' process is reported to have two phases. In the first phase, the animal blows the sand with jets of water, gradually settling down as it does so. In the second phase, the dorso-lateral arms are stretched out over the surface to gather sand particles to completely cover the animal. This behaviour has been observed in four species of Sepiola and three species of Sepietta (Boletzky & Boletzky 1970; Bergstrom & Summers 1983). Newly hatched Euprymna tasmanica settled immediately and adopted the benthic mode of life of adults; within one day of hatching juveniles initiated burying behaviour, but no successful burying was achieved prior to death at three days old in aquaria (English 1981).

Many sepiolids have luminescent organs, including Australian sepiolids in the genera Heteroteuthis, Iridoteuthis, Sepiolina, Sepiola and Euprymna. Herring (1988) reviewed information on these organs in cephalopods: in Sepiola and Euprymna they are paired, separate and ear-shaped, while in Heteroteuthis, Nectoteuthis, Iridoteuthis, Stoloteuthis and Sepiolina the paired structures are fused to form a single rounded entity. It is generally accepted that bacterial luminescence is involved in sepiolid photophores, although luminescent bacteria have not been identified or cultured in vitro for some genera, such as Heteroteuthis and Sepiolina. Nothing is known about the luminescent organs of any Australian sepiolids.

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

Diagnosis

The mantle is short with the posterior end rounded. The anterior dorsal mantle margin may be fused with the head or articulated by means of nuchal cartilages. The head is large, as wide as, or wider than the mantle. The fins are lateral, large, kidney-shaped with well-developed anterior lobes. The tentacles are retractile with a well-defined club. The arms are short, and lack protective membranes. The gladius, if present, is chitinous and rudimentary; in some genera it is absent. Most members of the family have luminous organs on the ink sac. In males, one or both dorsal arms or a laterodorsal arm are usually hectocotylised. In females, only the left oviduct is developed.

Members of the subfamily Sepiolinae are distinguished by the fusion of the anterior dorsal mantle margin with the head by a muscular band. The nuchal cartilage is absent. The funnel-mantle locking cartilages are simple, straight lines. The arm suckers in most taxa are biserial, except in the genus Euprymna where they are tetraserial (with the exception of the Philippines species, E. phenex Voss, 1962, which has biserial arm suckers). The club suckers are in 4, 8, 10 or more series, depending on the generic identity. The shell is absent in the genus Euprymna, while in the remaining genera e.g. Sepiola, Rondeletiola, Sepietta and Inioteuthis, the shell is present but rudimentary.

Members of the subfamily Heteroteuthinae have their anterior dorsal mantle margins either articulating with the head by the nuchal cartilage (Heteroteuthis, Nectoteuthis) or completely fused with the head (Iridoteuthis, Sepiolina and Nectoteuthis). The ventral mantle margin may, extraordinarily, extend forward covering the funnel and part of the head (Iridoteuthis and Nectoteuthis) or may project forward only slightly (Stoloteuthis and Sepiolina) or be intermediate between these two states, as in Heteroteuthis. In all taxa, the first three pairs of arms are united by a deep web. The arm suckers are in two series. The fins are large. The shell is absent. Coloration is rich, with a metallic sheen. Most members of the subfamily have luminescent organs on the ink sac.

Members of the subfamily Rossinae have large semicircular fins with conspicuous anterior lobes sometimes reaching beyond the mantle margins. The posterior lobes of the fins are barely discernable. The mantle margins are connected with the head dorsally by means of the nuchal cartilage and ventrally by the funnel-mantle locking cartilages. The nuchal cartilage is spade-shaped. The funnel locking cartilages are oval, deeply grooved. The large funnel reaches the level of the centre of the eyes. The arms are short with 2 series of suckers which are spherical with the aperture minute. In males both dorsal arms are hectocotylised. The tentacles are long and slender and bear an elongate club occupying about ¼ of the length. The club is not expanded and is covered on its oral aspect with numerous minute suckers. The gladius is chitinous and rudimentary, slender, lanceolate and shorter than the body. The surface of the body is smooth. The chromatophores are several shades of reddish brown.

 

General References

Adam, W. 1986. Contribution à la connaissance du genre Euprymna Steenstrup, 1887 (Mollusca Cephalopoda). Bulletin de l'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique 56: 131-136

Akimushkin, I.I. 1963. Cephalopods of the seas of the U.S.S.R. Jerusalem : Israel Program for Scientific Translation 223 pp. [English translation from Russian. Mercade, A. (Transl.), Finesilver, R. (ed.)]

Aldrich, F.A. & Lu, C.C. 1968. Report on the larva, eggs, and egg mass of Rossia sp. (Decapoda, Cephalopoda) from Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland. Canadian Journal of Zoology 46: 369-371

Allan, J. 1945. Planktonic cephalopod larvae from the eastern Australian coast. Records of the Australian Museum 21: 317-350 pls 24-27

Appellöf, A. 1898. Cephalopoden von Ternate. 1. Verzeichniss der von professor Kükenthal gesammelten Arten. II. Untersuchungen über Idiosepius, Sepiodarium und verwandte Formen, ein Beitrag zur Beleuchtung der Hektokotylisation und ihrer systematischen Bedeutung. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 24: 561-637

Arnold, J.M., Singley, C.T. & Williams-Arnold, L.D. 1972. Embryonic development and post hatching survival of the sepiolid squid Euprymna scolopes under laboratory conditions. Veliger 14: 361-364

Bello, G. 2020. Evolution of the hectocotylus in Sepiolinae (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae) and description of four new genera. European Journal of Taxonomy 655: 1-53

Bergstrom, B. & Summers, W.C. 1983. Sepietta oweniana. pp. 75-91 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 1. Species Accounts. London : Academic Press xvii 474 pp.

Berry, S.S. 1918. Report on the Cephalopoda obtained by the F.I.S. Endeavour in the Great Australian Bight and other southern Australian localities. Biological Results of the Fishing Experiments carried on by the F.I.S. Endeavour 1909-1914 4: 203-298 pls 59-88

Boletzky, S.v. 1983. Sepiola robusta. pp. 53-67 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 1. Species Accounts. London : Academic Press xvii 474 pp.

Boletzky, S.v. 1987. Juvenile behaviour. pp. 45-60 in Boyle, P.R. (ed.). Cephalopod Life Cycles. Vol. 2. Comparative Reviews. London : Academic Press xxi 441 pp.

Boletzky, S.v., Boletzky, M.v., Frösch, D. & Gätzi, V. 1971. Laboratory rearing of Sepiolinae (Mollusca: Cephalopoda). Marine Biology, Berlin 8: 82-87

Boletzky, S.v. & Boletzky, M.v. 1970. Das Eingraben in Sand bei Sepiola und Sepietta (Mollusca, Cephalopoda). Revue Suisse de Zoologie 77: 536-548

Boletzky, S.v. & Boletzky, M.V.v. 1973. Observations on the embryonic and early post-embryonic development of Rossia macrosoma (Mollusca, Cephalopoda). Helgoländer Wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen 25: 135-161

Brazier, J. 1892. Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania. Pt I. Cephalopoda; Pt II. Pteropoda. Sydney : Australian Museum Catalogue Vol. 15 42 pp.

Brocco, S. 1970. Aspects of the biology of the sepiolid squid Rossia pacifica Berry. Unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 151 pp.

Choe, S. 1966. On the growth, feeding rates and the efficiency of food conversion for cuttlefishes and squids. Korean Journal of Zoology 9: 12-20 [in Korean]

Choe, S. & Oshima, Y. 1963. Rearing of cuttlefishes and squids. Nature (London) 197: 307

English, S.A. 1981. The biology of two species of estuarine cephalopods from the Sydney region. Unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Sydney, Sydney 125 pp.

Fernandez-Alvarez, F.A. Sanchez, P. & Villanueva, R. 2021. Morphological and molecular assessments of bobtail squids (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae) reveal a hidden history of biodiversity. Frontiers of Marine Science 7(632261)

Herring, P.J. 1988. Luminescent organs. pp. 449-489 in Trueman, E.R. & Clarke, M.R. (eds). The Mollusca. Vol. 11. Form and function. London : Academic Press.

Hochberg, F.G. Jr & Fields, W.G. 1980. Cephalopoda: The squids and octopuses. pp. 429-444 in Morris, R.H., Abbot, D.P. & Haderlie, E.C. (eds). Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford : Stanford University Press.

Jereb, P. & Roper, C.F.E. (Eds) 2005. Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 1. Chambered nautiluses and sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae). FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4 Rome : FAO Vol. 1 pp. 1-262.

Joubin, L. 1902. Revision des sépiolides. Mémoires de la Société Zoologique de France 15: 80-145

Lu, C.C. 2001. Cephalopoda. pp. 129-308 in Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 17.2 Mollusca: Aplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Cephalopoda. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 353 pp. [Date published 3 July 2001]

Lu, C.C. & Phillips, J.U. 1985. An annotated checklist of Cephalopoda from Australian waters. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Victoria 2: 21-36

Naef, A. 1923. Die Cephalopoden, Systematik. Fauna und Flora des Golfes von Neapel 35 1: 1-863

Norman, M.D. & Lu, C.C. 1997. Redescription of the southern dumpling squid Euprymna tasmanica and a revision of the genus Euprymna (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 77: 1109-1137

Pfeffer, G. 1884. Die Cephalopoden des Hamburger Naturhistorischen Museums. Abhandlungen Herausgegeben vom Naturwissenschaftlichen Verein zu Bremen 8: 63-90 3 pls

Reid, A. 1991. Taxonomy review of the Australian Rossiinae (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae), with a description of a new species, Neorossia leptodons, and redescription of N. caroli (Joubin, 1902). Bulletin of Marine Science 49(3): 748-831

Sanchez, G. Fernandez-Alvarez, F.A. Tait, M. Sugimoto, C. Jolly, J. Simakov, O. Marletaz, F. Allcock, L. & Rokhsar, D.S. 2021. Phylogenomics illuminates the evolution of bobtail and bottletail squid (order Sepiolida). Communications Biology 4(819): 1-9

Sasaki, M. 1929. A monograph of the dibranchiate cephalopods of the Japanese and adjacent waters. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido Imperial University 20(Suppl.): 1-357 30 pls

Voss, G.L. 1955. The Cephalopoda obtained by the Harvard-Havanna Expedition off the coast of Cuba in 1938–39. Bulletin of Marine Science of the Gulf and Caribbean 5: 81-115

Voss, G.L. 1956. A review of the cephalopods of the Gulf of Mexico. Bulletin of Marine Science of the Gulf and Caribbean 6: 85-178

Voss, G.L. 1963. Cephalopods of the Philippine Islands. United States National Museum Bulletin 234: 1-180

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 14-May-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 06-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Subfamily Sepiolinae Leach, 1817

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Genus Amutatiola Lu & Okutani, 2022

 

Distribution

IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Small Sepiolinae with fins rounded with large
anterior lobe, which do not reach the anterior mantle margin;
fin length about 40–66% mantle length. Suckers biseriate on all
arms. Tentacular club suckers in 4–8 longitudinal series.
Nuchal commissure moderately wide, not reaching over the
ocular globes, about 38–59% of mantle width. A pair of
dumbbell-shaped or elongated kidney-shaped photophores on
ventral surface of ink sac. Gladius absent. Ventral mantle
margin slightly sinuate, without any deep funnel indentation.
No arm in mature males hectocotylised. Some arm suckers in
mature males grossly enlarged. Female bursa copulatrix closed
type, pouch-like, opening at level of base of left gill.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA 03-May-2022 ADDED

Species Amutatiola macroventosa Lu & Okutani, 2022

  • Type data:
     Holotype MV F80081 ♂ (trawl depth 36–42 m, bottom depth 86–90 m, collected by CSIRO, FRV Soela SO1/85/124, 27 Feb 1985, 0331 hr, Rectangular Midwater Trawl with 8 m2 mouth area), south-east Tasmania [42° 38.1' S, 148° 12.4' E].
    Paratype(s) MV F275293 ♀ (40–170 m, collected by CSIRO, FRV Soela SO3/80/32, 13 May 1980), Great Australian Bight [32° 43' S, 126° 00' E to 32° 45' S, 125° 59' E]; MV numerous (5 m, active over algae, collected by D. Rawlins, J. Finn and M. Norman, 26 April 1998, 1915 hr, hand net), Luck Bay, western point off beach, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA [33° 59' S, 122° 13' E]; WAM 3091-83 ♂ (7–8 m, collected by N. Sinclair, 4 Apr 1983, Rotenone Station,), west side of Irwin Reef, Port Denison, WA [29° 16' S, 114° 55' E].

 

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA 03-May-2022 ADDED

Genus Dextrasepiola Lu & Okutani, 2022

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Sepiolinae with fins rounded with large anterior
lobes, which do not reach the anterior mantle margin; fin length
about 50–80% mantle length. Suckers biseriate on all arms.
Tentacular club suckers in 4–8 longitudinal series. Nuchal
commissure narrow, not reaching over the ocular globes. A pair
of dumbbell-shaped photophores on ventral surface of ink sac.
Gladius absent. Ventral mantle margin slightly sinuate, without
any deep funnel indentation. Right arm I of male hectocotylised.
Hectocotylus tripartite: basal part with five suckers in two
series, two suckers in dorsal series and three in ventral series;
copulatory apparatus long, fleshy, tape like, formed by fusion of
two adjoining very elongate sucker stalks, no additional
modified structure on the arm (i.e. hook-like stalks); distal to
tape-like copulatory apparatus biserial suckers to arm tip (19
suckers in holotype, 23 suckers in paratype 2). Female bursa
copulatrix on right side of mantle cavity, open type (cf. Bello,
2020), roughly ear shaped.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA 03-May-2022 ADDED

Species Dextrasepiola taenia Lu & Okutani, 2022

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.


IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Small sepioline with right arm I of mature male
hectocotylised, copulatory apparatus in the form of a long tapelike
process, no hook-like structure on the arm. Females with
bursa copulatrix on right side of mantle cavity.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA 03-May-2022 ADDED

Genus Eumandya Bello, 2020


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Species Eumandya pardalota (Reid, 2011)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO Australia.

2012 - Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Northern Australia from Western Australia, 12º14'S, 122º56'E to Queensland, 23º30.00'S, 152º28.00'E. Depth range 0.2-20.0 m.


IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 16-Apr-2024 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
SEPIOLIDA 19-Apr-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Genus Euprymna Steenstrup, 1887


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific region.


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 07-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Euprymna hoylei Adam, 1986


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Distribution

States

Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

North-west Australia


IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Inshore, marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 07-May-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Euprymna stenodactyla (Grant, 1833)


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 07-May-2012 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Euprymna tasmanica (Steenstrup, 1887)

Southern Bobtail Squid

Generic Combinations

  • Euprymna tasmanica (Steenstrup, 1887).

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia


IMCRA

Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

Extra Ecological Information

Inshore, marine

 

Common Name References

Norman, M. 2000. Cephalopods, a world guide. Hakenheim : ConchBooks 320 pp. [98] (Southern Bobtail Squid)

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 01-Aug-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Genus Sepiolina Naef, 1912


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 07-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Sepiolina nipponensis (Berry, 1911)

Japanese Bobtail Squid


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: demersal.

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 06-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Subfamily Heteroteuthinae Appellöf, 1898

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 ADDED Dr Mandy Reid

Genus Heteroteuthis Gray, 1849


Compiler and date details

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
07-Jan-2014 SEPIOLIDA 07-Jan-2014 MODIFIED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
08-May-2012 MODIFIED

Species Heteroteuthis hawaiiensis (Berry, 1909)


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Heteroteuthis (Stephanoteuthis) hawaiiensis (Berry, 1909).
  • Heteroteuthis hawaiiensis (Berry, 1909).

 

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
SEPIOLIDA 09-May-2012 ADDED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)

Species Heteroteuthis serventyi Allan, 1945


Compiler and date details

2024 - Updated A.L. Reid, CSIRO, Australia.

2012 - Updated by Julian Finn, Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

 

Generic Combinations

  • Heteroteuthis serventyi (Allan, 1945).

 

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: epipelagic, mesopelagic, oceanic.

Juvenile: mesopelagic, oceanic.

Marine.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
05-Jun-2024 CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 29-May-2023 MODIFIED Dr Mandy Reid
09-May-2012 SEPIOLIDA 09-May-2012 MOVED Dr Julian Finn (NMV)
07-Jan-2014 08-May-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)
Note: the generation of this complete preview for CEPHALOPODA Cuvier, 1795 was cancelled at Heteroteuthis serventyi Allan, 1945 owing to the initation of another complete preview for Demetrida apicalis (Sloane, 1917). Only one complete preview may be executed at a time. Previews were generated for 287 of 445 taxa.