Australian Biological Resources Study

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Order VAMPYROMORPHA


Compiler and date details

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

Introduction

The monotypic vampyromorph is a jet black, gelatinous, deepwater 'octopod'.

 

Diagnosis

Four pairs of arms present, and also special additional appendages—one pair of long, thin, thread-like suckerless filaments which are retractable into pockets located on outer side of web between dorsal and dorso-lateral arms. Suckers without chitinous rings. Arms commonly connected by deep web; arm suckers in one row, 2 rows of cirri parallel to sucker row; proximal parts of arms without suckers. One pair of elongate-oval short fins situated on sides of mantle (but larvae may have two pairs, one disappearing by end of larval stage). Mantle fused with head in occipital area but not fused with funnel. Mantle cavity connected with exterior by one opening on ventral side of body. Great number of small, simple photophores of composite structure present. Gladius a wide, very thin plate.

 

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-Feb-2010 (import)