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Histioteuthidae

provided by wikipedia EN

Histioteuthidae is a family of Oegopsid squid. The family was previously considered to be monotypic but the World Register of Marine Species assigns two genera to this family.[1]

The species classified under Histioteuthidae are mostly weakly muscled, moderately sized squid with a maximum mantle length of 33 cm. They generally have very long, robust arms and a short mantle with small, rounded fins. Their main distinguishing feature is that the eyes are different sizes and orient in different vertical directions. The larger left eye is semitubular, mobile, generally is directed back and up as indicated by the pattern of iridophores on the eye's outer surface. This means that when the squid is positioned obliquely the eye is pointed upwards towards the surface. It is thought that this is used to detect animals above the squid silhouetted against the sun during the day. The right eye has a normal shape and is oriented laterally and slightly downward. This arrangement gives the family the common name of cock-eyed squid.[2]

Genera and species

There are two genera which are included in the Histioteuthidae and a total of circa 19 species:[1][2]

References

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Histioteuthidae: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Histioteuthidae is a family of Oegopsid squid. The family was previously considered to be monotypic but the World Register of Marine Species assigns two genera to this family.

The species classified under Histioteuthidae are mostly weakly muscled, moderately sized squid with a maximum mantle length of 33 cm. They generally have very long, robust arms and a short mantle with small, rounded fins. Their main distinguishing feature is that the eyes are different sizes and orient in different vertical directions. The larger left eye is semitubular, mobile, generally is directed back and up as indicated by the pattern of iridophores on the eye's outer surface. This means that when the squid is positioned obliquely the eye is pointed upwards towards the surface. It is thought that this is used to detect animals above the squid silhouetted against the sun during the day. The right eye has a normal shape and is oriented laterally and slightly downward. This arrangement gives the family the common name of cock-eyed squid.

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Description

provided by World Register of Marine Species
This family is easily distinguished by large, anteriorly directed photophores over the surface of the mantle, head and amrs; a large head with the left eye considerably larger than the right; six or seven buccal lappets; buccal connectives that attached to the dorsal border of arms IV; a straight or slightly curved and slightly broad, simple, funnel locking-cartilage; suckers on the tentacular clubs arranged in four, or more commonly, more than four irregular rows; suckers on the arms biserial.

Reference

MASDEA (1997).

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Edward Vanden Berghe [email]