Onychoteuthis banksii (Leach, 1817)

Introduction

Onychoteuthis banksii was thought, until recently, to be a common circumglobal species, although many authors (e.g., Young 1972, Kubodera et al. 1998) suspected the name (as generally applied) to encompass a species complex.  Bolstad (2008) partially resolved the species complex in the Pacific Ocean (redescribing O. banksii from the Atlantic in the process), and Bolstad (2010) separated out an additional species, O. horstkottei, but it is likely that additional unrecognized species still exist.

Characteristics

1. Photophores
   1. Two circular intestinal photophores present. Anterior photophore ~75% diameter of posterior photophore.
   2. Ocular photophore a long whitish patch on ventral surface of each eyeball.
      

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      Ventral view of the visceral photophores of O. banksii, holotype. Photograph by M. Vecchione.

2. Measurements of holotype
   1. Mantle length - 30 mm
   2. Arm lengths - All equal
   3. Fin length - 18 mm
   4. Fin width - 16 mm
   5. Club length - 14 mm
   6. Club hook numbers - 11 in ventral series, 11 in dorsal series.
   7. Largest hooks - Hooks V6 and V7
   8. Smallest mid-series dorsal hooks - Hooks D4 and D5
   
   
3. Tentacle club
   1. Length ~27% ML, with 20–23 long, slender, strongly recurved hooks.
   2. Distal-most ventral hook bases not produced into spike.
      
      

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       Right tentacle club of O. banksii, USNM 727512, ML 49 mm.  Illustration from Bolstad (2008).
      

   Comments

   The holotype (BMNH 1986266) is in fair condition, slightly cleared and without chromatophores. The gladius and left tentacle are missing.
   

Distribution

References

Bolstad, K.S. 2008. Two new species and a review of the squid genus Onychoteuthis Lichtenstein, 1818 (Oegopsida: Onychoteuthidae) from the Pacific Ocean. Bulletin of Marine Science, 83: 481–529.

Bolstad, K.S.R. 2010. Systematics of the Onychoteuthidae Gray, 1847 (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Zootaxa, 2696: 186pp.

Kubodera, T., Piatkowski, U., Okutani, T. & Clarke, M.R. 1998. Taxonomy and zoogeography of the family Onychoteuthidae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 586: 277–291.

Leach, W.E. 1817. Synopsis of the Orders, Families, and Genera of the Class Cephalopoda. The Zoological Miscellany; being Descriptions of New or Interesting Animals, 3(30): 137-141.

Young, R.E. .1972. The systematics and areal distribution of pelagic cephalopods from the seas of Southern California. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 97: 108pp., 37 pls.