Abraliopsis (Pfefferiteuthis)
Richard E. Young
- Abraliopsis affinis
- Abraliopsis atlantica
- Abraliopsis chuni
- Abraliopsis falco
- Abraliopsis sp. A
- Abraliopsis sp. P
- Abraliopsis sp. V
Introduction
The subgenus Pfefferiteuthis is very distinct. All males have very distinctive arms IV, especially the LEFT member which is characterized by a peculiar pattern of hook sizes, a very enlarged ventral protective membrane and numerous papillae. The right arm IV (hecctocotylus) is also complex having, in addition to flaps, a characteristic pattern of hook sizes. Considering the complexity of both arms IV one might expect to find numerous species-specific characters there. Yet, between species these arms are remarkably similar. However, specific characters still may exist, but they have not yet been found.Characteristics
- Right arm IV (males)
- Large, ventral, rounded-trapezoidal flap; distally offset smaller dorsal flap; low ventral membrane extends from ventral flap to terminal large photophores.
- Arm hooks differ greatly in size between series and within series.
- Small, mostly-free trabeculae (ie, almost no connecting membrane) with tubercules on both margins.
- Left arm IV (males)
- With greatly enlarged ventral membrane with long trabeculae that project beyond the membrane; trabeculae lined with rows of tuberules.
- Arm hooks differ greatly in size between series and within series.
The following table compares characters of species within the subgenus
| A. affinis | A. atlantica | A. chuni | A. falco | Abraliopsis sp. A | Abraliopsis sp. P | Abraliopsis sp. V | |
| Club keel | long | short | long | absent | short | long | absent |
| Carpal flap | present | absent | present | absent | absent | present | absent |
| Size of large club hooks - ventral:dorsal | 2.5:1 | 3:1 | >3:1 | 2:1 | >3:1 | 3:1 | ~2:1 |
| Club length index | ? | ? | ? | 14.3 | 29.1 | 22.7 | 19.3 |
| Enlarged hooks, arms I, females | No | ? | ? | No | No | No | Yes |
| 1st basal arm IV hook, ventral series, males | = 2nd in series, < than dorsal counterpart | > 2nd in series, = or > dorsal counterpart | ? | > 2nd in series, = or > dorsal counterpart | > 2nd in series, = or > dorsal counterpart | < or = 2nd in series, < dorsal counterpart | > 2nd in series, = dorsal counterpart |
| Spermatangia receptacles | Dorsal colllar + Stellate pocket | ? | ? | Dorsal colllar (?) + Stellate pocket | Dorsal colllar + Stellate pocket | Dorsal colllar + Stellate pocket | Stellate pocket |
| Lateral Arm IV, Arm III Series | Discontinuous | Discontinuous | Discontinuous | Discontinuous | Continuous | ||
| Red photophores in caret of Median Head Series | 3 | 5 or more | ? | 5 or more | 5 or more | 5 or more | 5 |
| Blue photophores in medial head sector | None to few anterolaterally | None to ? | Many ? | None to few anteriorly | None to few throughout | None ??? | Many distally |
| Blue photophores in anteror Median Mantle Sector | Few, very tight to lateral margins | ? | ? | Many, well scattered from lateral margins | Few, tight to lateral margins | Few, tight to lateral margins | Many, well scattered from lateral margins |
| Photophores in anterior 1st Lateral Mantle Sector | Many blues, more near Medial margin. Few "free" reds | ? | ? | Many blues, broadly scattered. No "free" reds. | Few blues, near margins. No "free" reds. | Few blues, broadly scattered. No "free" reds. | Many blues, increase toward medial margin. No "free" reds. |
| Habitat | Eastern Tropical Pacific | Tropical-subtropical Atlantic Ocean | Tropical Indian Ocean | Subtropical Northeast Pacific | Tropical Pacific | Tropical Pacific | Tropical Pacific |
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Abraliopsis sp. A |
|---|---|
| Location | Hawaiian waters |
| Specimen Condition | Preserved |
| Sex | Male |
| Life Cycle Stage | Adult |
| Body Part | Head photophores |
| View | Ventrolateral |
| Size | 37 mm ML |
| Image Use |
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| Scientific Name | Abraliopsis affinis |
|---|---|
| Location | Eastern tropical Pacific, La Paz Basin, off Baja California |
| Specimen Condition | Preserved |
| Sex | Male |
| Life Cycle Stage | Mature |
| Body Part | Arms IV |
| View | Oral |
| Size | 30 mm ML |
| Collection | SBMNH 45819 |
| Image Use |
This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
©
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About This Page
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Richard E. Young at
Page copyright © 2014
Page: Tree of Life
Abraliopsis (Pfefferiteuthis).
Authored by
Richard E. Young.
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- First online 03 November 2013
- Content changed 03 November 2013
Citing this page:
Young, Richard E. 2013. Abraliopsis (Pfefferiteuthis). Version 03 November 2013 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Abraliopsis_%28Pfefferiteuthis%29/138179/2013.11.03 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
