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Grimpoteuthis discoveryi Collins 2003

Martin Collins, Michael Vecchione, and Richard E. Young
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Containing group: Grimpoteuthis

Introduction

Grimpoteuthis discoveryi is a small, lower slope and abyssal species that was recently described from over 50 individuals taken in the N. E. Atlantic (Collins, 2003).

Characteristics

  1. Arms and web
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    Figure. Oral view of arms and web of G. discoveryi, paratype, female, 65 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

    1. Arms long, subequal in length.
    2. Web extends 2/3 of arm length; extends further on dorsal arms.
    3. Web formula: ABCDE.
    4. Single web nodule prominent on ventral side of each arm (see arrow above); located at sucker 31 (arm I), 29 (arm II), 27 (arm III) or 25 (arm IV).
    5. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

      Figure. Oral view of arm I of G. discoveryi, paratype, female, 65 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

    6. Sucker count 56-61.
    7. Suckers barrel-shaped with distinct sexual dimorphism.
    8. Sucker height much greater than sucker diameter in mature males; sucker diameter (max. diameter 6.4% of head width) greater in males.
    9. Maximum sucker diameter between suckers 6 and 40.
    10. Cirri moderate (mean CLI 7.3).
    11. First cirri between suckers 3 and 5.
    12. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
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      Figure. Lateral view of suckers and cirri of G. discoveryi. Left - Female, 65 mm ML, paratype. Right - Male, 50 mm ML, holotype. Drawings from Collins (2003).

  2. Shell
    1. Robust U-shape with outer walls of wings parallel.
    2. Inner and outer surfaces of saddle convex.
    3. Lateral wing terminates in two lobes.
    4. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

      Figure. Ventral (left), lateral (middle) and dorsal (right) views of the shell of G. discoveryi, female, 65 mm ML. Drawings from Collins (2003).

Comments

The above description is from Collins, in press. More details of the description of Grimpoteuthis discoveryi can be found here.

Among other Atlantic species, with the possible exception of G. wuelkeri, G. discoveryi differs, where known, in having a shell with wings termining in two lobes. In addition it differs from:

Life History

Oviducal eggs are 10-11 mm in length.

Distribution

The type locality is the Porcupine Seabight at 49°35'N, 14°01'W, and a depth of 4190-4255 m. Caught at depths of 2600-4870 m in the Northeast Atlantic (Collins, 2003).

References

Collins, M. A. 2003. The genus Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Grimpoteuthidae) in the North-east Atlantic, with descriptions of three new species. Zool. Journ. Linnean Soc., 139: 93-127.

Title Illustrations
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Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Scientific Name Grimpoteuthis discoveryi
Location 50°N, 14°W
Reference Collins, M. A. 2003. The genus Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Grimpoteuthidae) in the North-east Atlantic, with descriptions of three new species. Zool. Journ. Linnean Soc., 139: 93-127.
Sex Female
View Dorsal, ventral
Size 210 mm TL
Type Paratype
Copyright © Martin Collins
About This Page

Martin Collins
Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK


National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D. C. , USA


University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Collins, Martin, Michael Vecchione, and Richard E. Young. 2003. Grimpoteuthis discoveryi Collins 2003. Version 13 May 2003 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Grimpoteuthis_discoveryi/20121/2003.05.13 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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