Grimpoteuthis meangensis (Hoyle, 1985)

Introduction

Grimpoteuthis meangensis was originally described from a single, damaged animal of unknown sex. A full illustration was never made. Subsequently Hoyle (1886) illustrated a small octopod from the South Pacific (over 2000 km south of the type locality) which he assummed to be the same species. However, considering the variety of species now known to exist, this identification may not be valid and is not included in the description here. A redescription based on new material is badly needed.

Characteristics

1. Arms and web
   

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   Figure. Oral view of an arm and associated web of G. meangensis. Drawing from Hoyle (1886).
   

   1. Each arm with 60-70 suckers.
   2. Suckers small, subequal, spaced at equal intervals except at crowded arm tip.
   3. Web attaches to dorsal side of arm at 90% of arm length; web attaches to ventral side of arm at 80% of arm length.
   4. Single web nodules present, small. Appears (from drawing) to attach near sucker 33.
   5. Cirri short, 2 mm in length.
   6. First cirri appear between suckers 4 and 7. Cirri could not be seen at arm tips.
   

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   Figure. Lateral view of an arm of G. meangensis. Drawing from Hoyle (1886).

2. Eyes
   1. Large.
      
      
3. Fins
   1. Length approximately equal to body width.
      
      
4. Shell
   1. In describing apparently the saddle, Hoyle states, "inner surface rounded off whereas the outer is flat."
   2. Illustration suggests well-developed shoulder blades.
   3. Illustration suggests wings not expanded.
   

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   Figure. Shell of G. meangensis. Top - Dorsal (?) view. Bottom - Posterior view of saddle. Drawings from Hoyle (1886).
   

5. Measurements, mm
   
   • Mantle width - 30
   • Fin length - 30
   • Fin width - 10
   • Largest sucker diameter - 1
   • Diameter of eye - 12
   • Arm I, length (right/left) - 100/100
   • Arm II, length - 94/100
   • Arm III, length - 80/92
   • Arm IV, length - 90/92

Comments

Among Pacific species, G. meangensis differs from:

• G. abyssicola by having large shoulder blades on the shell and a lower arm sucker count (60-70 vs 77).
• G. bathynectes by having large shoulder blades on the shell.
• G. hippocrepium by having large shoulder blades on the shell.
• G. innominata in having more suckers (60-70 vs 50-60) and lacking a median ridge on the outer surface of the shell saddle.
• G. pacifica in having more suckers (67-70 vs 52).
• G. tuftsi in lacking a transverse groove on the external surface of the shell saddle.

Distribution

References

Hoyle,W.E. 1885. Narrative of the Voyage of the Challenger Expedition. The Cephalopoda. Report on the Voyage of HMS Challenger (1873-1876), 1 (1): 269-274.

Hoyle, W. E. 1886. Report on the Cephalopoda Collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the Years 1873-76. Report of the Voyage of the Challenger, Zoology, 16 (44): 1-346, 33 pls.