Southern Giant Octopus

Southern Giant Octopus

Taxobox
name = Southern Giant Octopus


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Cephalopoda
ordo = Octopoda
familia = Octopodidae
genus = "Enteroctopus"
species = "E. magnificus"
binomial = "Enteroctopus magnificus"
binomial_authority = (Villanueva, Sanchez & Compagno, 1992)
synonyms =
*"Octopus magnificus"
Villanueva, Sanchez & Compagno, 1992
range_



range_map_caption = Distribution of "E. magnificus"
The Southern Giant Octopus ("Enteroctopus magnificus") is a large octopus in the genus "Enteroctopus". It is native to the waters off Namibia and South Africa.

Description

"E. magnificus" bears the distinctive characteristics of the genus "Enteroctopus", including longitudinal folds on the body and large, paddle-like papillae. "E. magnificus" is a large octopus, reaching total lengths of up to 1.8 mNorman, M. (2003). "Cephalopods: A World Guide". ConchBooks: Heckenhaim, Germany. pp. 213216.] and a mass of 11.4 kg.Villanueva, R. (1993). Diet and mandibular growth of "Octopus magnificus" (Cephalopoda). "South African Journal of Marine Science" 13: 121126.]

Range and habitat

"E. magnificus" occurs from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is found primarily on sand and mud flats from shallow subtidal areas to about 1000 m depth.

Predators

"E. magnificus" is predated on by the South African fur seal ("Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus") and the Leafscale gulper shark ("Centrophorus squamosus").

Diet

Like many octopuses, "E. magnificus" is a generalist predator. The chief food source for this octopus is the deep-sea portunid crab "Bathynectes piperitus". Other major prey items include the Cape hagfish ("Myxine capensis"), the crab species "Pontophilus gracilis", and hermit crabs in the "Parapagurus" genus.

Fisheries

"E. magnificus" is only collected by trawl and in lobster pots. Harvest of this octopus is small, mainly as a finfish trawl fisheries by-catch.

References

External links


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