- Sparkling Enope Squid
Taxobox
name = Sparkling Enope Squid
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Mollusca
classis =Cephalopod a
ordo =Teuthida
familia =Enoploteuthidae
genus = "Watasenia"
genus_authority = Ishikawa, 1914
species = "W. scintillans"
binomial = "Watasenia scintillans"
binomial_authority = (Berry, 1911)The Sparkling Enope Squid ("Watasenia scintillans"), also known as the Firefly Squid, is a member of the class
Cephalopoda , subclassColeoidea , orderTeuthida . It is the sole species in thegenus "Watasenia".pecies characteristics
The Sparkling Enope Squid is found in the Western
Pacific ocean at depths of 600 to 1200 feet and possesses bioluminescent properties. Eachtentacle has an organ called aphotophore , which produces light. By flashing these lights, the Sparkling Enope Squid can attract small fish to feed upon.The Sparkling Enope Squid is the only species of cephalopod in which evidence of
color vision has been found. While most cephalopods have only onevisual pigment , firefly squid have three, along with a double-layered retina. These adaptations for color vision may have evolved to enable firefly squid to distinguish between ambient light and bioluminescence. [cite book | last = Messenger | first = John B. | coauthors = Roger T. Hanlon | title = Cephalopod Behaviour | publisher = Cambridge University Press | date = 1998 | location = Cambridge | pages = 17-21 | id = ISBN 0-521-64583-2]The Sparkling Enope Squid measures about 3 inches long at maturity and dies after one year of life.
Mating
The Sparkling Enope Squid can also light up its whole body to attract a
mate . The mating season of the Sparkling Enope Squid lasts from March to June.References
External links
* [http://www.seasky.org/monsters/sea7a1o.html Sea and Sky]
* [http://www.hotaruikamuseum.com/ Japanese Museum dedicated to the firefly squid]
* [http://www.city.uozu.toyama.jp/en/htrk/index.html Short article]
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