Mastigoteuthidae
| Mastigoteuthidae | ||||||||||||
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Mastigoteuthis glaukopis |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Mastigoteuthidae | ||||||||||||
| Verrill , 1881 |
The Mastigoteuthidae are a family of small deep-sea squids . There are about 20 known species in two genera , represented in the meso- and bathypelagial of most oceans. Some scientists classify the species as the subfamily Mastigoteuthinae in the family Chiroteuthidae .
description
With a size of 3-15 centimeters mantle length, most species are relatively small. The most standout feature is their extremely long tentacles , which they can retract into pockets on their fourth (and longest) pair of arms if necessary. Also noteworthy are the egg-shaped fins, which in some species can make up up to 80% of the length of the mantle.
In contrast to many other squid species, the species from the Mastigoteuthidae family do not have particularly widened ends of their tentacles, but they are equipped with very small suction cups (sometimes even barely noticeable to the human eye). The latter have a very strong adhesion and can sometimes be found on up to 70% of the entire tentacle length.
Many species are bioluminescent and have luminous organs located either on the mantle, the ends of the tentacles or the surface of the eye. These organs contain "lenses" of chromatophores , i.e. pigment cells that allow the squids to change the color of the light emitted. The mantle of some species is studded with conical or hemispherical humps. The suction cups on the arms have conical teeth that are either large or located on the distal side. The skin color of the species is typically a deep reddish brown.
The two species Idioteuthis tyroi and Idioteuthis cordiformis have comparatively long catchers on their tentacles in the early stages of development.
behavior
So far hardly any specimens of this family have been observed in their natural environment; much knowledge was gained from the caught squids. Only two species ( Idioteuthis hjorti and Mastigoteuthis magna ) are known to hover over the sea floor in a vertical position with their heads pointing downwards. They hold their position with the help of their large fins. In addition, they keep their long tentacles pointing upwards at the same distance, so that the term " tuning fork position" has become common among experts . Most of their prey are deep-sea crustaceans .
Although the species have an ink sac that would give them protection from predators in shallower waters, they have only been observed at greater depths until now. In addition, the squids seem to lack the ability to move quickly with the help of their siphon, they rely completely on their large fins.
species
- Genus Idioteuthis
- Genus Mastigoteuthis
The classification of the species marked with a question mark is still controversial.
photos
Idioteuthis latipinna
Mastigoteuthis atlantica
Mastigoteuthis flammea
Mastigoteuthis magna
