Primer registro del pulpo ‘Octopus’ selene Voss, 1971 (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) en aguas peruanas con comentarios de su distribución geográfica

In this paper, ‘Octopus’ selene is first registered in Peruvian waters and its distribution range extends south to Cabo Blanco, Piura, Peru. Four male specimens of 34 – 50 mm ML were captured between 03°34'S and 04°06'S at depths of 109 – 150 m. A brief description is provided, with taxonomic observations and comments on its geographical distribution of this species.En el presente trabajo se registra de primera vez ‘Octopus’ selene en aguas peruanas y se amplía su rango de distribución sur hasta Cabo Blanco, Piura, Perú. Cuatro ejemplares machos de 34 – 50 mm LM fueron capturados entre los 03°34’S y 04°06’S a profundidades de 109 a 150 m. Se proporciona una breve descripción, con observaciones taxonómicas y comentarios sobre su distribución geográfica de esta especie

Cephalopods in the Diet of Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Caught off the West Coast of Baja California, Mexico

The lower beaks of 1,318 cephalopods from the stomach contents of 175 swordfish, Xiphias gladius, caught off the west coast of Baja California, Mexico, between 1988 and 1996 were analyzed. In total, 20 species of teuthoids, 4 octopods, and one vampyromorph were identified. Weights and lengths of cephalopods were estimated from the lower rostral lengths. Ommastrephid squids, primarily jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas of different maturing sizes, composed 60% by number and 82% by estimated weight. Three species of gonatids were identified and represented 22% by number. An unidentified species of Argonauta was the most abundant octopod, with 5.8% of the beak total. Ancistrocheirus lesueurii is recorded for the first time in the California Current. Distribution of cephalopods in the California Current and their size in the diet of other marine predators are discussed. The diet of swordfish was dominated by medium to large muscular squid species that probably are eaten in surface waters at night

Adelieledone, a new genus of octopodid from the Southern Ocean

The syntypes of the endemic Southern Ocean octopodid Pareledone polymorpha (Robson, 1930) were re-examined and measurements, counts and indices are presented. The two forms described by Robson, namely oblonga and affinis, are determined to have no taxonomic validity. The species polymorpha shows morphological similarities with Pareledone adelieana (Berry, 1917) but differs in relative arm lengths, sucker counts, external colouration and size at maturity. Both species are transferred to the new genus Adelieledone, which is separated from the genus Pareledone s.s. by the transverse ridges in the ligula groove of the hectocotylus, the sharp tip of the lower beak, the enlarged posterior salivary glands, the absence of stylets and by skin sculpture, especially by the presence of two longitudinal integumentary ridges on the dorsal mantle. A new species, Adelieledone piatkowski, is described from the Antarctic Peninsula. Beak morphology can discriminate the genera in predator studies

Shallow-water octopuses (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) from Hong Kong's territorial waters

A preliminary checklist of the shallow-water octopuses (Octopodidae) from the waters off Hong Kong is presented with an update of the octopodid taxa treated in earlier work. Eleven species are recognized, nine in the genus Octopus, with members of two other genera, i.e. Hapalochlaena cf. fasciata and Cistopus indicus. Hapalochlaena cf. fasciata is reported from Hong Kong for the first time. This fauan primarily shows biogeographic affinities with the coastal, muddy-water, biota of mainland Asia

Thaumelodone and other deep water octopodids from the Southern Ocean

Recent trawling in the Southern Ocean has yielded an unusual and relatively large collection of deep-sea octopods, comprising four species in two genera. Several deep-sea genera, which are inadequately characterised, have been reported previously from the Southern Ocean. Within this paper, all the relevant historical type material has been examined and a full revision has been undertaken. Species previously considered to be representative of the genus Bentheledone have either been moved to Thaumeledone or are considered nomen dubium. A revised diagnosis of Thaumeledone is provided together with redescriptions of its Southern Ocean species as well as a description of a new species. A new genus has been erected to accommodate the remainder of the new specimens

Phylogenetic relationships among cirrate octopods (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) resolved using mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among the cirrate octopods (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) were investigated using partial sequences of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene. The derived phylogeny supports the traditional separation of cirrate families based on web form. Genera with a single web (Opisthoteuthis, Grimpoteuthis, Luteuthis, and Cirroctopus) are clearly distinct from those with an intermediate or secondary web (Cirroteuthis, Cirrothauma, and Stauroteuthis). The cirrates with a single web are separated into three groups. The first group is represented by Opisthoteuthis species, the second by Grimpoteuthis and Luteuthis, and the third by members of the genus Cirroctopus. There is no support for the isolation of Luteuthis in a separate family (Luteuthidae). There is, however, evidence of two groupings within the genus Opisthoteuthis. The data suggest the following revisions in the systematic classification of the cirrates: (1) Cirrothauma, Cirroteuthis, and Stauroteuthis be united in the Cirroteuthidae; (2) Grimpoteuthis and Luteuthis be placed in the Grimpoteuthidae; (3) Opisthoteuthis in the Opisthoteuthidae, and; (4) Cirroctopus be considered sufficiently distinct from both Opisthoteuthidae and Grimpoteuthidae to warrant placement in a new family