Opisthoteuthis borealis

Last updated

Opisthoteuthis borealis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Opisthoteuthidae
Genus: Opisthoteuthis
Species:
O. borealis
Binomial name
Opisthoteuthis borealis
Collins, 2005 [2]

Opisthoteuthis borealis is a lesser-known species of octopus found near Greenland and Iceland, [1] especially in the Davis Strait. [2] The species was described from 9 specimens, and is one of the most recent Opisthoteuthis species described. Not much is known about it besides its anatomy and habitat. [3]

Contents

Description

Opisthoteuthis borealis belongs to the order Cirrata, a subdivision of octopuses which have fleshy fins to assist in swimming, internal shells supporting their bodies, and two threadlike structures called cirri for each sucker. Many cirrate octopuses live in deep water. [4]

Octopuses in the species Opisthoteuthis borealis have mantles up to 75 mm (3.0 in) long. They are medium-sized when compared to closely related species. [5] They have long arms and large eyes. [4]

Males of O. borealis have some enlarged suckers; their purpose is unknown. Females don't have enlarged suckers. [5] This specific kind of sex difference, or sexual dimorphism, is also seen in Opisthoteuthis albatrossi and Opisthoteuthis californiana. [6] Some of the males' arms are thickened compared to the arms of females. [4]

Anatomically, this species is most similar to Opisthoteuthis grimaldii . [7]

Habitat

Of all species of Opisthoteuthis found in the Atlantic Ocean, O. borealis lives the furthest north. They are found near Greenland and Iceland [1] at depths of 957–1,321 m (3,140–4,334 ft) deep. They live in waters with a small temperature range of 3.0–3.5 °C (37.4–38.3 °F). [5] These octopuses occupy the benthic zone, on and just above the seafloor. [1] The species is of little or no interest to fisheries. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Grimpoteuthis</i> Genus of cephalopods known as the dumbo octopuses

Grimpoteuthis is a genus of pelagic cirrate (finned) octopods known as the dumbo octopuses. The name "dumbo" originates from their resemblance to the title character of Disney's 1941 film Dumbo, having two prominent ear-like fins which extend from the mantle above each eye. There are 17 species recognized in the genus. Prey include crustaceans, bivalves, worms and copepods. The average life span of various Grimpoteuthis species is 3 to 5 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umbrella octopus</span> Family of molluscs

Umbrella octopuses are a group of pelagic octopuses. Umbrella octopuses are characterized by a web of skin between the arms, causing them to somewhat resemble an opened umbrella when the arms are spread.

<i>Stauroteuthis</i> Genus of octopuses

Stauroteuthis is a genus of deepwater cirrate octopus, a cephalopod mollusk. This is the only genus in the family Stauroteuthidae, and only three species have been described in this genus.

<i>Opisthoteuthis californiana</i> Species of cephalopod known as the flapjack octopus

Opisthoteuthis californiana, also known as the flapjack octopus, or flapjack devilfish is a species of umbrella octopus.

Stauroteuthis gilchristi is a species of small pelagic octopus found at great depths in the south Atlantic Ocean. It is believed to be one of a very small number of octopuses to exhibit bioluminescence, like its sister taxon Stauroteuthis syrtensis.

Cryptoteuthis brevibracchiata, the short-arm flapjack octopod, is a deepwater species of octopod. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Cryptoteuthis one of the cirrate octopuses of the family Grimpoteuthidae, the umbrella octopuses. It is known from a single specimen which was collected in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It has characteristics which are shared with two other genera, Opisthoteuthis and Grimpoteuthis, but is sufficiently distinctive from either of these to warrant the erection of a new genus.

<i>Opisthoteuthis chathamensis</i> Species of octopus

Opisthoteuthis chathamensis, commonly known as the roughy umbrella octopus, is a species of cirrate octopus restricted to demersal habitats surrounding the Chatham Rise in New Zealand. It is commonly known as the roughy umbrella octopus.

Opisthoteuthis calypso or calypso flapjack octopus is a species of genus Opisthoteuthis, which are known as the cirrate octopuses. Octopuses in this genus are known as the flapjack octopuses and can be found in a variety of oceans across the world.

<i>Opisthoteuthis agassizii</i> Species of octopus

Opisthoteuthis agassizii is a lesser-known, deep-sea octopus first described in 1883 by Addison E. Verrill.

Opisthoteuthis albatrossi is a cirrate octopus originally found off Kinkasan in Japan. This species was described from only four specimens. It is similar to Opisthoteuthis californiana; the two may be the same species. It is also similar to Opisthoteuthis japonica.

Opisthoteuthis bruuni is a species of finned cirrate octopus found along the western coast of South America. Their tissue is almost jelly-like, and they have short, round bodies.

<i>Opisthoteuthis extensa</i> Species of octopus

Opisthoteuthis extensa is a species of octopus found off the west coast of Sumatra, an Indonesian island. It lives at a recorded depth of 768 m (2,520 ft). O. extensa lives in a benthic habitat, like many other cirrate octopuses. It occupies a deep part of the ocean where little sunlight penetrates.

<i>Opisthoteuthis grimaldii</i> Species of octopus

Opisthoteuthis grimaldii is an octopus found near the Azores.

Opisthoteuths hardyi is a lesser-known octopus species. It was described in 2002 from a male caught off the Shag Rocks, which are far south in the Atlantic Ocean near the Falkland Islands.

Opisthoteuths massyae is an octopus living in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Opisthoteuthis medusoides</i> Species of mollusc

Opisthoteuthis medusoides is a cirrate octopus living off the coast of Tanzania near Dar es Salaam. However, its actual range may be more extensive.

Opisthoteuthis persephone is a cirrate octopus living south of Australia. In particular, it lives in waters off Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. The octopus has been found 270–540 m (885.8–1,771.7 ft) deep. It lives near and directly above the seafloor. S. Stillman Berry was the first to scientifically describe this species after capturing eight specimens while aboard the F.I.S. Endeavour in the early 1910s. In describing O. persephone, Berry called it an "exceedingly interesting octopod."

Opisthoteuthis philipii is an octopus of the Indian Ocean. It lives off the coast of Kerala, India. Known specimens were found between 275–365 m (902–1,198 ft) deep in the Arabian Sea near Alappuzha.

Opisthoteuthis pluto is a deep-sea cirrate octopus found in the Great Australian Bight south of Australia. They live 270–810 m (890–2,660 ft) below the surface in the bathyal zone. Although their habitat is threatened, it is unclear how the species is affected, if at all. O. pluto is named for the Greek and Roman god of the Underworld.

Opisthoteuthis robsoni, also known as the deep-water umbrella octopus, is a deep-sea octopus living off New Zealand on the Chatham Rise. It has been found from 1,178–1,723 m (3,865–5,653 ft) below the surface. Not much is known about the octopus' habitat or life cycle, as only four specimens have been found. It occupies the benthic zone, or the seafloor and the water directly above it. O. robsoni eats large amphipods.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lyons, G.; Allcock, L. (2014). "Opisthoteuthis borealis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T176049A1424934. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T176049A1424934.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Opisthoteuthis borealis Collins, 2005". World Register of Marine Species.
  3. Collins, Martin A.; Laptikhovsky, Vladimir; Strugnell, Jan M. (May 2010). "Expanded description of Opisthoteuthis hardyi based on new specimens from the Patagonian slope". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 90 (3). Cambridge, UK: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: 605–611. doi:10.1017/S0025315409000988. S2CID   86449884.
  4. 1 2 3 Collins, Martin A. (December 2005). "Opisthoteuthis borealis: a new species of cirrate octopod from Greenland waters". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 85 (6). Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: 1475–1479. doi:10.1017/S002531540501266X. S2CID   86404341.
  5. 1 2 3 Collins, Martin; Villanueva, Roger; Young, Richard E. (2016). "Opisthoteuthis borealis". Tree of Life Web Project.
  6. Vecchione, Michael; Young, Richard E. (2003). "Opisthoteuthis albatrossi". Tree of Life Web Project.
  7. Martin A. Collins; Roger Villanueva (June 2006). "Taxonomy, Ecology and Behaviour of the Cirrate Octopods". Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, volume 44. CRC Press. pp. 277–322. ISBN   9781420006391. OCLC   309866539.
  8. Jereb, Patrizia; Roper, Clyde F.E.; Norman, Mark D.; Finn, Julian K. (2016). Cephalopods of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Cephalopod Species Known to Date (PDF). Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 250. ISBN   978-92-5-107989-8.