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Grimpoteuthis wuelkeri (Grimpe 1920)

Martin Collins, Michael Vecchione, and Richard E. Young
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Containing group: Grimpoteuthis

Introduction

G. wuelkeri although originally described in 1920 based on an animal described under an existing name in 1910, this species was poorly known until the recent redescription by Collins (in press). The redescription was based on seven specimens including the holotype. This species is found on the continental slopes in the N. E. and N. W. Atlantic.

Characteristics

  1. Arms and web
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    Figure. Oral view of arms and web of G. wuelkeri, female, 115 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

    1. Arms long, subequal in length.
    2. Web extends 2/3 of arm length; extends farther on dorsal arms.
    3. Web formula: A=B>C=D>E.
    4. Single web nodule present on ventral side of each arm (see arrow); located at sucker 28 (arm I), 26 (arm II), 24 (arm III) or 22 (arm IV).
    5. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

      Figure. Oral view of arm I of G. wuelkeri, holotype, female, 165 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

    6. Sucker count 60-70.
    7. Maximum sucker diameter between suckers 8 and 25.
    8. Cirri short, length 6.1 % of head width (females) or 10% (single male).
    9. First cirri between suckers 4 and 7.
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      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

      Figure. Lateral view of suckers and cirri of G. wuelkeri, female, 115 mm ML. Drawing from Collins (2003).

  2. Shell
    1. Robust U-shape with lateral edges of wings nearly parallel to one another.
    2. Inner and outer surfaces of saddle convex; distinct ridge on outer surface.
    3. Lateral wing terminates in two lobes, one with a small point.
    4. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

      Figure. Ventral (left), lateral (middle) and dorsal (right) views of the shell of G. wuelkeri, holotype. Drawing from Collins (2003).

Comments

The above description is from Collins, 2003. More details of the description of G. wuelkeri can be found here.

Among Atlantic species, G. wuelkeri differs, where known, in having a shell with a ridge on the outer surface of the saddle. In addition it differs from:

Life History

Egg from oviducal gland measured 14.0 mm in longest dimension.

Distribution


The type locality is at 35°46'N, 08°16'W; depth - 2055 m. This species is known fron the Northeast Atlantic with one specimen from the Northwest Atlantic (Collins, 2003).

References

Collins, M. A. 2003. The genus Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Grimpoteuthidae) in the North-east Atlantic, with descriptions of three new species. Zool. Journ. Linnean Soc., 139: 93-127.

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Grimpoteuthis wuelkeri
Location 36°N, 08°W
Reference Collins, M. A. 2003. The genus Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Grimpoteuthidae) in the North-east Atlantic, with descriptions of three new species. Zool. Journ. Linnean Soc., 139: 93-127.
Sex Female
View Dorsal, ventral
Size 165 mm TL
Type Holotype
Copyright © Martin Collins
About This Page

Martin Collins
Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK


National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D. C. , USA


University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Collins, Martin, Michael Vecchione, and Richard E. Young. 2003. Grimpoteuthis wuelkeri (Grimpe 1920). Version 13 May 2003 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Grimpoteuthis_wuelkeri/20130/2003.05.13 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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