| Opisthoteuthis dongshaensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Octopoda |
| Family: | Opisthoteuthidae |
| Genus: | Opisthoteuthis |
| Species: | O. dongshaensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Opisthoteuthis dongshaensis C.C. Lu, 2010 [2] | |
Opisthoteuthis dongshaensis is a species of octopus located in the South China Sea.
The type specimens, the animals used to formally describe the species, were found off Pratas Island. This is also known as Dong Sha Island, [3] hence the species name. In Chinese (transliterated to the Latin alphabet), O. dongshaensis is called Dongsha-Miàn-Xiāo. [2]
The species is only known from waters near Dong Sha Island. O. dongshaensis lives 660–1,015 m (2,165–3,330 ft) deep. [4] O. dongshaensis occupies the benthic zone, living on or near the seafloor. It may be threatened by fishing in the area; however, further research is still needed. [1]
The type specimens of the species are held by the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, Taiwan. [5]
O. dongshaensis is small and has a roughly bell-shaped body. The males, like many other octopuses in the genus Opisthoteuthis , have some enlarged suckers. Males have oversized suckers in the distal field (at the ends of the arms; far from the body). These enlarged suckers only exist on some arms, while other arms have small suckers throughout. Females have proportionally smaller suckers than males; [6] however, females have more suckers on average. [5]
These octopuses have wide heads and large eyes. They also have large fins to aid in movement. [6] The fins are long when compared to those of other cirrate octopus species. Thick, fleshy webs connect their arms, creating the distinctive "umbrella" shape. The arms may be of different lengths. [5]
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.
Opisthoteuthis californiana, also known as the flapjack octopus or adorabilis, is a species of umbrella octopus.
The Dongsha Atoll National Park is the seventh national park of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
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 Opisthoteuthidae, 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 in the Opisthoteuthidae, Opisthoteuthis and Grimpoteuthis, but is sufficiently distinctive from either of these to warrant the erection of a new genus.
Luteuthis shuishi is a species of octopus that lives in the South China Sea, which is known only from one female specimen collected at a depth of 767 meters. It has short arms and is quite gelatinous. The octopus's total length is about 300 millimeters.
Opisthoteuthis chathamensis 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 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.
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 borealis is a lesser-known species of octopus found near Greenland and Iceland, especially in the Davis Strait. 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.
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.
Opisthoteuthis depressa is an octopus found in waters near Japan.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
...721 mice were caught on the Dongsha Islands (Pratas Islands) in just one month.
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