Stauroteuthis
Encyclopedia
Stauroteuthis is a genus
of deepwater octopus
, a cephalopod
mollusk. This is the only genus in the family Stauroteuthidae, and only two species have been described in this genus.
The organisms live below 700 m water depth; although sometimes found as deep as four kilometres underwater, they generally live at a water depth of around 2 km. They do not possess a radula.
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 photophore
s which are believed to fool prey by directing them towards the mouth.
is widespread in the North Atlantic. The population
size of S. syrtensis is unknown.
Stauroteuthis gilchristi
is only known from two localities in the south Atlantic; these two localities may even represent different species.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of deepwater octopus
Octopus
The octopus is a cephalopod mollusc of the order Octopoda. Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms, and like other cephalopods they are bilaterally symmetric. An octopus has a hard beak, with its mouth at the center point of the arms...
, a cephalopod
Cephalopod
A cephalopod is any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda . These exclusively marine animals are characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles modified from the primitive molluscan foot...
mollusk. This is the only genus in the family Stauroteuthidae, and only two species have been described in this genus.
The organisms live below 700 m water depth; although sometimes found as deep as four kilometres underwater, they generally live at a water depth of around 2 km. They do not possess a radula.
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 photophore
Photophore
A photophore is a light-emitting organ which appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors...
s which are believed to fool prey by directing them towards the mouth.
Species
Stauroteuthis syrtensisStauroteuthis syrtensis
Stauroteuthis syrtensis is a species of small pelagic octopus found at great depths in the north Atlantic Ocean. It is one of a very small number of octopuses to exhibit bioluminescence.-Taxonomy:...
is widespread in the North Atlantic. The population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
size of S. syrtensis is unknown.
Stauroteuthis gilchristi
Stauroteuthis gilchristi
Stauroteuthis gilchristi is a species of small pelagic octopus found at great depths in the south Atlantic Ocean. It is believed to be one of a very small number of octopuses to exhibit bioluminescence, like its sister taxon Stauroteuthis syrtensis....
is only known from two localities in the south Atlantic; these two localities may even represent different species.