On the first record of the genus Octopoteuthis (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) in the Sardinian Channel (central western Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

A specimen of the rare squid genus Octopoteuthis (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) from 1600 m in the Sardinian Channel (central western Mediterranean) is described. Meristic and morphological data are provided. The specimen was a spent female and details of the reproductive system and implanted spermatangia are reported. Genetic analysis of this specimen and comparison with those available for species in this genus were carried out. Due to issues associated with the taxonomy of the genus Octopoteuthis, it was not possible to identify the specimen to the species level. The taxonomy of the genus is discussed.

Keywords:

• morphology
• reproductive system
• molecular analysis
• identification

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Mark Norman and Winston Ponder deeply for their constructive criticism and useful comments and suggestions, which greatly improved the quality of this document. Also, we are grateful to Professor Fausto Tinti for his helpful suggestions and critical reading of the draft manuscript.