Re-evaluation of Graneledone setebos (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) and allocation to the genus Megaleledone

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Allcock, A.L., Hochberg, F.G., Stranks, T.N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2003
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Megaleledone Setebos
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315403007148h; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315403007148

The holotype of the Antarctic octopodid Graneledone setebos was re-examined and found to lack the epidermal warts characteristic of the genus Graneledone. It is similar in its large size to another Southern Ocean species, Megaleledone senoi . A comparative study of G. setebos and specimens attributed to M. senoi led us to conclude that M. senoi is a junior synonym of G. setebos . Although M. senoi is not valid, the genus Megaleledone can be separated from other genera by the structure of the radula (which lacks marginal plates) and we therefore consider the genus to be valid. We propose the new combination of Megaleledone setebos and have refigured the beaks and radula of the holotype herein and expanded the description. A search of museum specimens and the literature shows that Megaleledone setebos is more common in Antarctic waters than previously supposed.