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Grimpoteuthis umbellata (Fischer, 1883)

Martin Collins, Michael Vecchione, and Richard E. Young
Containing group: Grimpoteuthis

Introduction

G. umbellata, the type species of the genus, was described from three specimens taken from two rather different localities. The largest specimen, about 200 mm in total width was taken from the vicinity of the Azores in 2235 m depth. The two smaller secimens were taken from off the coasts of Morocco and the Canaries. The larger of the latter two specimens is no longer extant, and the smaller specimen is an Opisthoteuthis (Collins, 2003). Collins (2003) designated the large specimen as the lectotype but it was badly damaged during capture. This species is poorly known and may prove to be the senior synonym of G. discoveryi or G. wuelkeri (Collins, 2003).

Characteristics

  1. Arms and web
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Oral view of arms and web Diagram showing arrangement of arms and web

      Figure.  Oral view of arms and web of Grimpoteuthis umbellata and diagram showing arrangement of arms and web.  Images from Fischer & Joubin (1907).

    1. Arm I length = 100 mm.
    2. Arms with 65-68 suckers.
    3. Maximum sucker diameter = 2.2 mm; located at sucker 6-8.
    4. Maximum cirrus length = 2.7 mm.
    5. First ciri between suckers 4-5.
      6. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Oral view of arm

      Figure.  Oral view of arm of Grimpoteuthis umbellata.  Image from Fischer & Joubin (1907).

  2. Gill
    1. Gill with 8 primary lamellae.
    2. Gill diameter = 8.5 mm.

  3. Shell
    1. Missing from the lectotype.

Comments

Measurements in the above description are of the lectotype, and are from Collins (i2003). Collins (2003) suggests that G. wuelkeri, which has been redescribed (Collins, 2003) may be a junior synonym of G. umbellata. He states "...until new material is obtained from the type locality this will not be possible to evaluate."

 

Distribution

Type locality 37°55'N, 20°22'W, North Atlantic, Azores between Fayal and San Miguel, 2235 m. A number of questionable published records of this species exists; however, the only certain record is that of the type.

References

Collins, M. A. In press. The genus Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Grimpoteuthidae) in the North-east Atlantic, with descriptions of three new species.

Fischer, H. and L. Joubin (1907). Expéditions scientifiques du TRAVAILLEUR et du TALISMAN. Céphalopodes, 8: 313-353.

Fischer, P. 1883. Note preliminaire dur une novelle espece du genre Ciroteuthis. Journal de Conchyliologie, 31: 402-404.

About This Page

Martin Collins
Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK


National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D. C. , USA


University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Collins, Martin, Michael Vecchione, and Richard E. Young. 2003. Grimpoteuthis umbellata (Fischer, 1883). Version 13 May 2003 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Grimpoteuthis_umbellata/20129/2003.05.13 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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