- Arms
- Arms I 60% of ML
- Arms III 125% of ML
- Arms IV 200% 0f ML
- Largest with ca. 25 sharply pointed teeth. Teeth triangular distally becoming saw-toothed laterally; proximal 1/5 of sucker ring smooth.
- Largest suckers not globular.
- Tentacular clubs
- Club length 65% of ML
- Club suckers with 8 large, elongate, pointed teeth over distal 3/5 of ring; no enlarged central tooth.
- Sucker stalks in two distinct parts; each basal portion with small flag; stalks of lateral and medial suckers about equal in length.
- Protective membranes
- Membranes in three distinctive sets with intermediate set broadest.
- Proximal set with 32 slender, separate trabeculae (about 30% of club length).
- Intermediate set without distinct trabeculae (forms fleshy membrane) but opposite 13 rows of suckers (about 25-30% of CL).
- Distal set with slender separate, trabeculae opposite 31 rows of suckers (about 40-45% of CL).
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Figure. Oral view of the central portion of tentacular club of Chiroteuthis sp. B2, 130 mm ML. Note the fusion of the trabeculae. Drawing by J. R. Schroeder.
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Figure. Oral view of club sucker and stalk of Chiroteuthis sp. B2. Note division of stalk and lack of pleats. Drawing by J. R. Schroeder.
Scanning electron micrographs of the arm and club suckers can be found here
- Head
- Head length 40% of ML.
- Head length 40% of ML.
- Funnel
- Funnel-locking apparatus with broad, protruding antitragus and hook-like tragus.
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Figure. Frontal views of the funnel/mantle locking-apparatus of Chiroteuthis sp. B2, 130 mm ML. Left - Funnel component. Right - Mantle component. Drawing by J. R. Schroeder.
- Fins
- Fin length 40-45% of ML; fin width 40-45% of ML.
- Fin length 40-45% of ML; fin width 40-45% of ML.
- Photophores
- Eyeball - Two series of circular organs: lateral series (6 organs) = 1+4+1; medial series (5 or 6 organs) = 1+(3)4+1; terminal organs slightly larger than central organs.
- Viscera: two, large photophores.
- Club-tip photophore small, with long papilla.
- One embedded photophore on aboral surface of club opposite trabecula number 9 from proximal end of club.
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Figure. Ventral view of the Eyeball photophores of Chiroteuthis sp. B2, 130 m ML, somewhat damaged. Drawing by J. R. Schroeder.
- Pigmentation
- Club-tip photophore with chromatophore organs only (i.e., epithelial pigmentation absent).
- Club pigmentation in epithelial cells rather than chromatophore organs except at distal tip.
- Sucker stalks with light pigmentation, becoming less pigmented distally; without pleats.
- Buccal membrane unpigmented.
- Olfactory organ with chromatophores on stalk only.
- Silvery tissue on oral surface beneath epidermal pigmentation.
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Figure. Aboral view of club-tip photophore of Chiroteuthis sp. B2, 130 mm ML. Note large papilla and discontinuity (band) on photophore. Drawing by J. R. Schroeder.
Chiroteuthis sp. B2 Description
Richard E. Young and Clyde F. E. RoperAbout This Page
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., USA
Page copyright © 1999 and
Page: Tree of Life
Chiroteuthis sp. B2 Description
Authored by
Richard E. Young and Clyde F. E. Roper.
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