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Grimpoteuthis meangensis (Hoyle, 1985)

Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione
Containing group: Grimpoteuthis

Introduction

Grimpoteuthis meangensis was originally described from a single, damaged animal of unknown sex. A full illustration was never made. Subsequently Hoyle (1886) illustrated a small octopod from the South Pacific (over 2000 km south of the type locality) which he assummed to be the same species. However, considering the variety of species now known to exist, this identification may not be valid and is not included in the description here. A redescription based on new material is badly needed.

Characteristics

  1. Arms and web
    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 an arm and associated web of G. meangensis. Drawing from Hoyle (1886).

    1. Each arm with 60-70 suckers.
    2. Suckers small, subequal, spaced at equal intervals except at crowded arm tip.
    3. Web attaches to dorsal side of arm at 90% of arm length; web attaches to ventral side of arm at 80% of arm length.
    4. Single web nodules present, small. Appears (from drawing) to attach near sucker 33.
    5. Cirri short, 2 mm in length.
    6. First cirri appear between suckers 4 and 7. Cirri could not be seen at arm tips.
    7. 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. Lateral view of an arm of G. meangensis. Drawing from Hoyle (1886).

  2. Eyes
    1. Large.

  3. Fins
    1. Length approximately equal to body width.

  4. Shell
    1. In describing apparently the saddle, Hoyle states, "inner surface rounded off whereas the outer is flat."
    2. Illustration suggests well-developed shoulder blades.
    3. Illustration suggests wings not expanded.
    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. Shell of G. meangensis. Top - Dorsal (?) view. Bottom - Posterior view of saddle. Drawings from Hoyle (1886).

  5. Measurements, mm
    • Mantle width - 30
    • Fin length - 30
    • Fin width - 10
    • Largest sucker diameter - 1
    • Diameter of eye - 12
    • Arm I, length (right/left) - 100/100
    • Arm II, length - 94/100
    • Arm III, length - 80/92
    • Arm IV, length - 90/92

Comments

The above description is taken from Hoyle (1986). The shape of the shell separates this species from many of the other species in the genus.

Among Pacific species, G. meangensis differs from:

Distribution

Type locality: Off Meangis Islands, near Philippines, 4°33'N, 127°06'E, 925 m.

References

Hoyle,W.E. 1885. Narrative of the Voyage of the Challenger Expedition. The Cephalopoda. Report on the Voyage of HMS Challenger (1873-1876), 1 (1): 269-274.

Hoyle, W. E. 1886. Report on the Cephalopoda Collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the Years 1873-76. Report of the Voyage of the Challenger, Zoology, 16 (44): 1-346, 33 pls.

About This Page


University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA


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

Page: Tree of Life Grimpoteuthis meangensis (Hoyle, 1985). Authored by Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione. The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. Click on an image or a media link to access the media data window, which provides the relevant licensing information. For the general terms and conditions of ToL material reuse and redistribution, please see the Tree of Life Copyright Policies.

Citing this page:

Young, Richard E. and Michael Vecchione. 2003. Grimpoteuthis meangensis (Hoyle, 1985). Version 13 May 2003 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Grimpoteuthis_meangensis/20124/2003.05.13 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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