Eledone schultzei

Brush-tipped octopus
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Octopoda
Family:	Eledonidae
Genus:	Eledone
Species:	E. schultzei
Binomial name
Eledone schultzei (Hoyle, 1910)
Synonyms
Aphrodoctopus carlgreni(Thore, 1945) Aphrodoctopus nigra(Hoyle, 1910) Aphrodoctopus schultzei(Hoyle, 1910) Eledone carlgreniThore, 1945 Eledone thysanophora Voss, 1962

Eledone schultzei, the brush-tipped octopus, is a rare species of octopus. ^[2] It has previously been known by other taxonomic names (synonyms) including Eledone thysanophora and Aphrodoctopus schultzei. ^[3]

Distribution

It is found off the South African coast from Saldanha Bay to Table Bay in less than 10m of water.

Description

The brush-tipped octopus has a round body with eight arms and no shell. Its arms have one row of suckers. Brush-like digitate are found at the end of each of its arms, except for the hectocotylus. ^[4]

Ecology

Its habits are mostly unknown, but it feeds on small crustaceans.

References

1. Allcock, L.; Taite, M.; Allen, G. (2018). "Eledone schultzei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018 e.T163331A999174. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T163331A999174.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. Branch, G.M. Griffiths, C.L. Branch, M.L. Beckley, L.E. 2000 Two Oceans: A guide to the marine life of southern Africa. ISBN   0-86486-250-4
3. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Eledone schultzei (Hoyle, 1910)".
4. Roper, Clyde F. E.; Mangold, Katharina M. (September 1991). "Octopus Schultzei (Hoyle, 1910): A Redescription with Designation of Aphrodoctopus New Genus (Cephalopoda; Octopodinae)" (PDF). Bulletin of Marine Science. 49 (1–2): 59. Retrieved 27 April 2023.