Stauroteuthis

Stauroteuthis is a genus of deepwater cirrate octopus, a cephalopod mollusk. This is the only genus in the family Stauroteuthidae, and only three species have been described in this genus.

Stauroteuthis
Stauroteuthis syrtensis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Octopoda
Family:	Stauroteuthidae Grimpe, 1916
Genus:	Stauroteuthis Verrill, 1879
Species
S. gilchristi (Robson, 1924) S. syrtensis Verrill, 1879 (type)
Synonyms
Chunioteuthis Grimpe, 1916

The organisms live below 700 m (2,300 ft) water depth; although sometimes found as deep as 4 km (2.5 mi) underwater, they generally live at a water depth of around 2 km (1.2 mi).^[1] They do not possess a radula.^[1]

The stauroteuthids have the distinction of being one of the few bioluminescent octopuses; some of the muscle cells that control the suckers in most species have been replaced with photophores which are believed to fool prey by directing them towards the mouth.^[2]

Species

• Stauroteuthis gilchristi (Robson, 1924): Known from two localities in the south Atlantic, and other southern ocean locations (Macquarie Island, and Kerguelen).^[1][3][4]
• Stauroteuthis syrtensis Verrill, 1879: Widespread in the North Atlantic.^[5] The population size of S. syrtensis is unknown.^[6]
• Stauroteuthis kengrahami Verhoeff, 2023: Known from a single specimen off eastern Australia.^[4]