Family GRIMALDITEUTHIDAE

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Introduction

Members of the rare monotypic family Grimalditeuthidae Pfeffer, 1900 are medium sized oceanic squid (less than 250 mm mantle length (ML)) and are easily recognised by the fusion of the funnel and mantle locking cartilages, and free dorsal mantle-nuchal locking apparatus. The body and mantle are soft, delicate and semitranslucent. The only grimalditeuthid species, Grimalditeuthis bomplandii (Verany), was first recorded from continental slope waters off southern New South Wales by Lu & Phillips (1985).

Because of their rarity in existing collections, no information regarding the life history of Grimalditeuthis bomplandii is available. Beyond Australia, Grimalditeuthis bomplandii, like many other oceanic squid, is a component of the diet of lancetfish and has been caught at the surface (Clarke 1966); however, the vertical distribution of this species remains unknown.

Diagnosis

The family is characterised by the fusion of the funnel and mantle locking cartilages and free dorsal mantle-nuchal locking apparatus. The long slender tail bears an accessory fin; which may be lost during capture. The long slender arms lack trabeculae, protective membranes and swimming membranes. Arm suckers are biserial. Tentacular stalks are very thin and often are broken off during capture. Tentacular clubs are expanded but lack suckers. Buccal connectives attach to the ventral border of the ventral arms and photophores may be present at the tips of the arms.

General References

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

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

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