Sepia grahami

Sepia grahami
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Sepiida
Family:	Sepiidae
Genus:	Sepia
Species:	S. grahami
Binomial name
Sepia grahami Reid, 2001

Sepia grahami, also known as Ken's cuttlefish, is a species of cuttlefish native to the southwestern Pacific Ocean, specifically along the New South Wales coastline of Australia. Its natural range stretches from southeast of Yamba ( 29°26′S153°21′E / 29.433°S 153.350°E / -29.433; 153.350 ) to off Tathra ( 36°43′S149°59′E / 36.717°S 149.983°E / -36.717; 149.983 ). Described in 2001 by Amanda L. Reid, it inhabits shallow coastal waters at depths of between 2–84 metres (6 ft 7 in – 275 ft 7 in). It is characterized by its pinkish brown coloration and distinctive dorsal ‘eyespots’ on the mantle.

Description

Sepia grahami exhibits a pinkish brown coloration with prominent dorsal ‘eyespots’ on its mantle, a feature aiding in its identification. Its cuttlebone is narrow, featuring a thickened, raised, and yellowish-ochre inner core; in juveniles, the dorsal surface of the cuttlebone appears white. ^[2] The mantle length is estimated to be approximately 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in), inferred from related species, as precise measurements are not extensively documented. ^[3]

The type specimen was collected off the New South Wales coastline and is deposited at the Australian Museum in Sydney. ^[2]

References

1. Barratt, I.; Allcock, L. (2012). "Sepia grahami". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T189728A1933979. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T189728A1933979.en . Retrieved 19 March 2025.
2. Reid, Amanda L. (2001). "A new cuttlefish, Sepia grahami, sp. nov. (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) from eastern Australia". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 123: 159–172.
3. "Ken's Cuttlefish". Australian Museum. Retrieved 20 November 2021.