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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

 

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