The Mastigoteuthidae, also known as whip-lash squid, are a family of small deep-sea squid. Approximately 20 known species in six genera are represented, with members found in both the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zone of most oceans. Originally described by Verill in 1881, it was later lowered by Chun (1920) to a subfamily (Mastigoteuthinae) of the Chiroteuthidae. However, Roper et al. (1969) raised it back to the family level, and this has not been changed since. The taxonomy of this family is extremely unstable, and there have been at times one genus, two genera and four subgenera(Salcedo-Vargas & Okutani, 1994), two genera and several 'groups', five genera and one species with an uncertain placement, or six genera.
Magnapinna talismani is a species of bigfin squid known only from a single damaged specimen. It is characterised by small white nodules present on the ventral surface of its fins.
Idioteuthis cordiformis is a species of whip-lash squid found in tropical regions of the west Pacific Ocean. The species is commonly known as the 'love-heart squid' because the species name cordiformis is Latin for 'heart shaped'. Recently, this species has been found to consume small birdbeak dogfish.
Mastigoteuthis is a genus of whip-lash squid containing at least seven valid species. Some teuthologists consider Idioteuthis synonymous with this taxon.
Magnoteuthis is a genus of whip-lash squid containing at least three species. Some teuthologists consider Idioteuthis or Mastigoteuthis synonymous with this taxon, but it is genetically and morphologically distinct.
Mastigopsis is a genus of whip-lash squid containing one single species, Mastigopsis hjorti. Some teuthologists consider Idioteuthis synonymous with this taxon; however, genetic results indicate that this genus is not closely related with Idioteuthis but actually closer to Magnoteuthis.
Mastigoteuthis agassizii is a species of whip-lash squid. It is the type species of the genus.
Mastigoteuthis dentata is a species of whip-lash squid.
Mastigoteuthis flammea is a species of whip-lash squid.
Mastigoteuthis glaukopis is a species of whip-lash squid.
Mastigoteuthis grimaldii is a species of whip-lash squid.
Mastigoteuthis inermis is a species of whip-lash squid. Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione consider it to be a junior synonym of the widely distributed M. magna.
Mastigoteuthis psychrophila is a species of whip-lash squid. It was first described by Kir Nazimovich Nesis in 1977, based on four individuals found in Antarctic waters. The largest was 143 mm long. The squid's tentacles are 15 mm in diameter, with 0.15 mm diameter club suckers. Integumental photophores are present upon the head, arms and fins. Although uncertain, it is believed to have more than two series of photophores on the arms, differing from other species in the M. agassizii group. However, this species, like the rest of the family, is badly in need of revision.
Mastigoteuthis pyrodes is a species of whip-lash squid.
Mastigoteuthis schmidti is a species of whip-lash squid.
Magnoteuthis microlucens is a species of squid; the most common species of Mastigoteuthis around the main Hawaiian Islands.
The Bear Seamount is a guyot or flat-topped underwater volcano in the Atlantic Ocean. It is the oldest of the New England Seamounts, which was active more than 100 million years ago. It was formed when the North American Plate moved over the New England hotspot. It is located inside the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which was proclaimed by President of the United States Barack Obama to protect the seamount's biodiversity.
Cephalopods exhibit various dermal structures on their mantles and other parts. These may take the form of conspicuous warts, cushions, papillae or scales, though in many species they are microscopic tubercles. The most elaborate forms are found among the oceanic squid of the order Teuthida.
Mastigotragus is a genus of whip-lash squid containing a single species, Mastigotragus pyrodes. This species was originally placed within Mastigoteuthis, but has been subsequently separated from other species in that genus due to multiple morphological characters. This genus is characterized by a lack of antitragus in the funnel-locking cartilage, larger sucker rings on the tentacles, a particular photophore morphology, and relatively large eyelid photophore. This genus is Latin for 'whip-lash goat'.
Side view of a club sucker
Funnel component of the funnel locking apparatus
M. magna
