Comb-finned Squid

Comb-finned Squid
Comb-finned Squid
Chtenopteryx sicula caught off Naples.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Subclass: Coleoidea
Order: Teuthida
Suborder: Oegopsina
Family: Chtenopterygidae
Genus: Chtenopteryx
Species: C. sicula
Binomial name
Chtenopteryx sicula
(Vérany, 1851)

The Comb-finned Squid or Toothed-fin Squid (Chtenopteryx sicula) is a species of squid native to at least the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterised by several distinct morphological features: ocular photophores are present but visceral photophores are absent, arm suckers are arranged in at least 4 series distally, and club suckers are borne in more than 8 series.

The type specimen was collected off Messina, Italy. It is deposited at the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle (Musée Barla) in Nice.[1]

Chtenopteryx sicula paralarvae. Left: Two very young paralarvae. The circular tentacular clubs bear approximately 20 irregularly arranged suckers. Two chromatophores are present on each side of the mantle. Centre: Ventral, dorsal and side views of a more advanced paralarva. An equatorial circulet of seven large yellow-brown chromatophores is present on the mantle. Posteriorly the expanded vanes of the gladius are visible in the dorsal view. Right: Ventral and dorsal views of a very advanced paralarva.

  • Ventral view of the viscera, showing the absence of a visceral photophore and the presence of the accessory nidamental gland.

References

  1. ^ Current Classification of Recent Cephalopoda
  • Naef, A. 1921-23. Cephalopoda. Fauna e Flora de Golfo di Napoli. Monograph, no. 35, 863 pp.

External links

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