''Chiroteuthis'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of chiroteuthid

squid A squid (: squid) is a mollusc with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight cephalopod limb, arms, and two tentacles in the orders Myopsida, Oegopsida, and Bathyteuthida (though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also ...

, comprising two

subgenera In biology, a subgenus ( subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus. In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the ge ...

. The

hectocotylus A hectocotylus (: hectocotyli) is one of the arms of male cephalopods that is specialized to store and transfer spermatophores to the female. Structurally, hectocotyli are muscular hydrostats. Depending on the species, the male may use it merel ...

is absent from all members of the genus; instead, a

penis A penis (; : penises or penes) is a sex organ through which male and hermaphrodite animals expel semen during copulation (zoology), copulation, and through which male placental mammals and marsupials also Urination, urinate. The term ''pen ...

extending from the mantle opening is utilised. The genus is characterised by enlarged, lidded

photophore A photophore is a specialized anatomical structure found in a variety of organisms that emits light through the process of boluminescence. This light may be produced endogenously by the organism itself (symbiotic) or generated through a mut ...

s present at the end of the tentacular club.

Arms Arms or ARMS may refer to: *Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to: People * Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader Coat of arms or weapons *Armaments or weapons **Fi ...

IV are both the longest and thickest, their

membranes A membrane is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others. Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles. Membranes can be generally classified into synthetic membranes and biological membranes. B ...

acting as sheaths to the retractable

tentacle In zoology, a tentacle is a flexible, mobile, and elongated organ present in some species of animals, most of them invertebrates. In animal anatomy, tentacles usually occur in one or more pairs. Anatomically, the tentacles of animals work main ...

Species

** ''Chiroteuthis'' sp. B2 **Subgenus ''

Chiroteuthis ''Chiroteuthis'' is a genus of chiroteuthid squid, comprising two subgenera. The hectocotylus is absent from all members of the genus; instead, a penis extending from the mantle opening is utilised. The genus is characterised by enlarged, lidde ...

'' ***'' Chiroteuthis calyx'' ***'' Chiroteuthis joubini'' ***'' Chiroteuthis spoeli'' ***''

Chiroteuthis veranyi ''Chiroteuthis veranii'', commonly known as the long-armed squid, is a species of Chiroteuthidae, chiroteuthid squid. It grows to a mantle (mollusc), mantle length of and a total length of . The type specimen was collected in the Mediterranean ...

'', long-armed squid ****'' Chiroteuthis veranyi lacertosa'' ****'' Chiroteuthis veranyi veranyi'' **Subgenus '' Chirothauma'' ***'' Chiroteuthis atlanticus'' * ***'' Chiroteuthis imperator'' ***'' Chiroteuthis mega'' ***'' Chiroteuthis picteti'' ****'' Chiroteuthis picteti picteti'' ****''

Chiroteuthis picteti somaliensis ''Chiroteuthis'' is a genus of chiroteuthidae, chiroteuthid squid, comprising two subgenus, subgenera. The hectocotylus is absent from all members of the genus; instead, a penis extending from the mantle (mollusc), mantle opening is utilised. The ...

'' The species listed above with an asterisk (*) is questionable and needs further study to determine if it is a valid species or a synonym.

External links

Tree of Life web project: ''Chiroteuthis''
Chiroteuthidae Bioluminescent molluscs {{squid-stub