Brachioteuthis

Brachioteuthis is a genus of squid comprising six species which are circumglobally distributed. Members of this genus have a generally small (6-14 cm) mantle length.

Brachioteuthis
Brachioteuthis picta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Oegopsida
Family:	Brachioteuthidae
Genus:	Brachioteuthis Verrill, 1881[1]
Type species
Brachioteuthis beanii Verrill, 1881
Species
Brachioteuthis beanii Brachioteuthis behnii Brachioteuthis bowmani Brachioteuthis picta Brachioteuthis riiseii
Synonyms[1]
Entomopsis Rochebrune, 1884 Tracheloteuthis Steenstrup, 1882 Verrilliola Pfeffer, 1884

Morphology

Adult Brachioteuthids are often characterized as having a rhomboidal or heart-shaped fin, a long slender, and muscular mantle hat is supported by a gladius. The funnel locking cartilage in Brachioteuthis is a simple, straight groove. The arms of all brachioteuthids have biserial suckers, with the males typically displaying a hectocotylus on arms IV. The tentacle club in brachioteuthis is substantially different than other oegopsid squids’. The proximal manus contains numerous transverse rows of small, stalked suckers, which become larger suckers towards the distal manus. The dactylus begins with typically four suckers and progresses to three suckers down the remainder of the club before reaching the terminal pad. The terminal pad contains an empty patch that is surrounded by small sessile suckers. The sections of the club are typically poorly differentiated. In mature males there are typically small tubercles on the mantle, and in some species, the tubercles are connected or covered by a reticulated net.

Paralarval individuals display their own set of unique characteristics that separate them from adults. They can be recognized by the paddle-shaped fins; a long, slender fluid-filled neck with no arm crown; and laterally directed eyes.

Species

• Brachioteuthis beanii, type locality: 39°57'N, 69°19'W and 39°56'N, 69°24'W (Atlantic Ocean)
• Brachioteuthis behnii
• Brachioteuthis bowmani *, Type locality: Scotland
• Brachioteuthis picta, ornate arm squid; Type locality: 5°6'N, 9°58'E
• Brachioteuthis riisei, common arm squid. This squid is potentially part of a species complex. The type locality is: 34°40'S, 7°W (Atlantic Ocean)
• Brachioteuthis linkovskyi The type locality is 600 miles SE of Montevideo.

The species listed above with an asterisk (*) is questionable and needs further study to determine if it is a valid species or a synonym.

Historical Resume

Brachioteuthis riisei