A revision of the family Stauroteuthidae (Octopoda: Cirrata) with redescriptions of Stauroteuthis syrtensis and S. gilchristi

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Collins, Martin A., Henriques, Camila
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2000
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400002514; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315400002514

The cirrate octopod family Stauroteuthidae is revised on the basis of new material collected from the North and South Atlantic and a thorough examination of relevant type material. The family is characterized by the presence of a secondary web, U-shaped shell vestige, reduced mantle aperture and with long cirri, not reaching the arm tips. The radula is absent. The family contains a single genus with two valid species, Stauroteuthis syrtensis and S. gilchristi , which are redescribed based on the holotypes and new material. Chunioteuthis ebersbachii is a junior synonym of S. syrtensis and C. gilchristi is placed in the genus Stauroteuthis . The genus Chunioteuthis is no longer valid. The form and arrangement of suckers distinguish the two species of Stauroteuthis . Stauroteuthis syrtensis is broadly distributed in the North Atlantic at depths of 700—4000 m with peak abundance at 1500—2500 m. Stauroteuthis gilchristi is known only from the type locality off Cape Town (2604 m) and from new material captured off South Georgia (1000 m).