Octopoteuthoidea

Octopoteuthoidea is a superfamily of squid in the order Oegopsida.^[1]

Octopoteuthoidea
Octopoteuthis sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Oegopsida
Superfamily:	Octopoteuthoidea Berry, 1912
Families
Lepidoteuthidae Octopoteuthidae

It consists of two small families and three genera:^[2]

• Superfamily Octopoteuthoidea
  • Family Octopoteuthidae
    • Genus Octopoteuthis
    • Genus Taningia
  • Family Lepidoteuthidae
    • Genus Lepidoteuthis

Members of Octopoteuthoidea are deep-sea squids characterized by robust bodies and relatively short arms compared to other squids. ^[3] Many species exhibit bioluminescence, which they use for camouflage and communication in the deep ocean. Notably, Taningia danae can reach mantle lengths of up to 2 meters and produces powerful bioluminescent displays using photophores on its arms, potentially to stun prey or signal conspecifics.^[4]

These squids inhabit mesopelagic to bathypelagic zones, typically ranging from 200 to 1500 meters deep, and are distributed globally in temperate and tropical waters.^[5]

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Octopoteuthoidea but suggest possible revisions in the relationships between the families Octopoteuthidae and Lepidoteuthidae. Ongoing genetic studies may lead to taxonomic updates or the identification of new genera within this superfamily.^[6]