Callistoctopus dierythraeus
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| Norman , 1993 |
Callistoctopus dierythraeus is a large cephalopod in the genus Callistoctopus . He lives in the Pacific Ocean .
features
anatomy
Callistoctopus dierythraeus is a muscular species. It has an average mantle length of 14 centimeters and a total length of up to 80 centimeters. The red dot night octopus can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms.
The tentacles reach 4–5 times the length of the mantle, with the dorsal arms longer than the rest. Callistoctopus dierythraeus does not have the ability to throw off individual arms at a certain point in the event of danger ( autotomy ) . The webbing is moderately developed and covers 18–45% of the arm's length at the deepest point. It is least developed between the ventral tentacles and strongest on the back. The edges of the webbing extend to the tips of the tentacles. There are two rows of suction cups on each arm . Larger animals have 200 to 280 suckers on each tentacle. The gills have 12 to 14 lamellae per demibranch . The funnel organ has a UU-shaped appearance. The radula consists of nine elements, seven rows of teeth and edge plates. A clearly visible goiter forms as a side branch of the esophagus. The ink pouch and anal flaps are also visible.
Appearance
The typical color pattern is orange to red with white dots and spots all over the body. When on alert, Callistoctopus dierythraeus takes on a basic white color, which is covered with numerous, bright red spots on the back and sides. False eyespots ( ocelles ) are not present. Like all real octopuses, it can adapt its skin color to any surface in its environment. This camouflage is based on a combination of different chromatophores and a change in the texture of the skin.
Isolated, wart-shaped structures called papillae form on the smooth skin. There are also papillae in the centers of the spots. The papillae above the eyes are larger than the rest. These are surrounded by small, point-shaped elevations.
Way of life
nutrition
The varied diet includes mussels , gastropods , crabs , polychaete worms , small fish and various types of octopus. In the area of used breeding caves, mussel shells and remains of crab shells have been found. One contained more than 100 mussel shells. Depending on the size and type of shellfish, the prey is either drilled open or pulled apart with the tentacles.
Reproduction
In the male octopus, the third right arm forms the Hectocotylus , which is occupied with 103 to 125 suckers and is about 75% as long as the remaining arms. The ligula is cylindrical and muscular. The length is approximately 6% of the arm length. The size of the calamus located at the base is approximately 15% of the length of the ligula.
The unprotected spermatophores are produced in small quantities. On average 4 pieces. They are very large and with a length of 10 centimeters they have about 75% of the mantle length. The female lays large eggs that are 14 millimeters in diameter. She places them in a breeding cave. The female stays in the cave during the brood and guards the eggs. In contrast to most other species, the female consumes food during this time. Researchers found more than 100 mussel shells in a used breeding cave.
habitat
Callistoctopus dierythraeus lives in the Pacific and occurs on the north and north-east coast of Australia . It has been proven so far from the Great Barrier Reef to northwestern Western Australia .
The species lives in muddy waters at depths between 0 and 78 meters. Callistoctopus dierythraeus is nocturnal and lives on rock and mud tidal flats and in shallow tidal areas. Due to the large egg size, juveniles are benthic , i.e. live on the sea floor.
Economical meaning
Due to its distribution, it can be assumed that it is fished regionally to a small extent.
The species is a problem for mussel farms in the Great Barrier Reaf because it attacks the young mussels there.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalog of cephalopod species known to date (p. 103)
- ↑ a b c octopus Fuehrer , Mark Norman (2000), year publisher, ISBN 9783861325062
- ↑ Skin as superreflectors
- ↑ Octopodidae - Article at Tree of Life