Opisthoteuthis pluto

Opisthoteuthis pluto
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Opisthoteuthidae
Genus: Opisthoteuthis
Species:
O. pluto
Binomial name
Opisthoteuthis pluto
Berry, 1918[2]

Opisthoteuthis pluto is a deep-sea cirrate octopus found in the Great Australian Bight south of Australia.[2] They live 270–810 m (890–2,660 ft) below the surface in the bathyal zone.[3] Although their habitat is threatened, it is unclear how the species is affected, if at all.[1] O. pluto is named for the Greek and Roman god of the Underworld.

Description

The octopus is known from multiple specimens. The largest specimen, a male, spanned 540 mm (21 in) from arm tip to arm tip. Like other members of the genus Opisthoteuthis, this octopus is sexually dimorphic. The male has a few greatly enlarged suckers, while the female does not. According to S. Stillman Berry, who described O. pluto, the octopus was capable of partially retracting its suckers and cirri (the small tendrils lining the arms).[4] The octopus has a dark color, which helps it camouflage with the ocean floor.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b G. Lyons; L. Allcock. "''Opisthoteuthis pluto". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T163178A980634.
  2. ^ a b "Opisthoteuthis pluto Berry, 1918". 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. ^ Young, Richard E.; Vecchione, Michael (May 2003). "Opisthoteuthis pluto". Tree of Life Web Project.
  5. ^ Grabenstetter, Zoe (July 24, 2015). "The Pluto Project: On Creatures with the Name". Department of Invertebrate Zoology News: No Bones. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original on August 7, 2015.

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