Opisthoteuthis medusoides

Opisthoteuthis medusoides is a cirrate octopus living off the coast of Tanzania near Dar es Salaam.[1] However, its actual range may be more extensive.[2]

Opisthoteuthis medusoides
Drawing of octopus with webbed arms from above and from the side
1915 drawing of O. medusoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Opisthoteuthidae
Genus: Opisthoteuthis
Species:
O. medusoides
Binomial name
Opisthoteuthis medusoides
Thiele, 1915[2]

The octopus lives 400 m (1,300 ft) deep, where it occupies the benthic zone, or seafloor.[3]

The species is known from only two juvenile octopuses.[4] Both had little pigment. Because of the octopus' medusoid (jellyfish-like) body shape, the species was given the name medusoides. Male opisthoteuthids generally have enlarged suckers on multiple arms; O. medusoides is different, having enlarged suckers on only one arm.[5] "A redescription of this species is badly needed," write Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione, both scientists who research cephalopods.[6]

References
  1. Lyons, G.; Allcock, L. (2014). "Opisthoteuthis medusoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T162946A956344. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T162946A956344.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. "Opisthoteuthis medusoides". World Register of Marine Species. Flanders Marine Institute.
  3. M.A. Collins; R. Villanueva (June 13, 2006). "Taxonomy, ecology and behaviour of the cirrate octopods.". In Gordon, J.D.M.; Atkinson, R.J.A.; Gibson, R.N. (eds.). Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, Volume 44. CRC Press. p. 297. ISBN 9781420006391.
  4. Jereb, P. (2005). Cephalopods of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Cephalopod Species Known to Date · Volume 3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 256. ISBN 9789251079898.
  5. NIWA Biodiversity Memoir Issue 112. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). 1999. p. 28.
  6. Young, Richard E.; Vecchione, Michael (May 13, 2003). "Opisthoteuthis medusoides". Tree of Life Web Project.


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