The Bathypolypus-Benthoctopus problem of the North Atlantic (Octopodidae, Cephalopoda)

• Main Author: Muus, Bent
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Malacology 2002
• Subjects: Arctic; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/53970/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/53970/1/4418.pdf

Profound confusion among deep-water octopods of the genera Bathypolypus and Benthoctopus stems from misidentifications of the Atlantic Bathypolypus arcticus (Prosch, 1849), which is here shown to consist of at least two allopatric species- the nominal form is a truly arctic species; the other, Octopus bairdii Verrill, 1873, is a boreal cold-water form, which is reinstated as a Bathypolypus. A third species, Bathypolypus pugniger, n. sp., of uncertain systematic position, occurs in a narrow belt along the southern limit of B. arcticus. Synonyms are discussed, and evidence is advanced that all records of Benthoctopus piscatorum (Verrill, 1879) are erroneous and that the type specimen is identical with B. bairdii. Using an amended generic diagnosis, a critical survey of all Bathypolypus species is given. Six species, all Atlantic, are recognized. Distribution and habitats are given, and a key and tables provided to facilitate identifications.