''Chiroteuthis'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of chiroteuthid

squid True squid are molluscs with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight arms, and two tentacles in the superorder Decapodiformes, though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also called squid despite not strictly fittin ...

, comprising two

subgenera In biology, a subgenus (plural: 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 hectocotylus is absent from all members of the genus; instead, a

penis A penis (plural ''penises'' or ''penes'' () is the primary sexual organ that male animals use to inseminate females (or hermaphrodites) during copulation. Such organs occur in many animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate, but males d ...

extending from the

mantle A mantle is a piece of clothing, a type of cloak. Several other meanings are derived from that. Mantle may refer to: *Mantle (clothing), a cloak-like garment worn mainly by women as fashionable outerwear **Mantle (vesture), an Eastern Orthodox ve ...

opening is utilised. The genus is characterised by enlarged, lidded

photophore A photophore is a glandular organ that appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors, ...

s present at the end of the tentacular club. Arms 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. Bi ...

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'' 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, l ...

'' ***''

Chiroteuthis joubini ''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, l ...

'' ***''

Chiroteuthis spoeli ''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, l ...

'' ***''

Chiroteuthis veranyi ''Chiroteuthis veranii'', commonly known as the long-armed squid, is a species of chiroteuthid squid. It grows to a mantle length of 12.5 cm and a total length of 130 cm. The type specimen was collected in the Mediterranean Sea by J ...

'', long-armed squid ****''

Chiroteuthis veranyi lacertosa ''Chiroteuthis veranii'', commonly known as the long-armed squid, is a species of chiroteuthid squid. It grows to a mantle length of 12.5 cm and a total length of 130 cm. The type specimen was collected in the Mediterranean Sea by J ...

'' ****''

Chiroteuthis veranyi veranyi ''Chiroteuthis veranii'', commonly known as the long-armed squid, is a species of chiroteuthid squid. It grows to a mantle length of 12.5 cm and a total length of 130 cm. The type specimen was collected in the Mediterranean Sea by J ...

'' **Subgenus '' Chirothauma'' ***''

Chiroteuthis atlanticus ''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, l ...

'' * ***''

Chiroteuthis imperator ''Chiroteuthis imperator,'' or the emperor squid is a species of chiroteuthid squid. It lives off the coast of Sumatra in the Indo-Pacific Ocean..

'' ***''

Chiroteuthis mega ''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, l ...

'' ***'' Chiroteuthis picteti'' ****''

Chiroteuthis picteti picteti ''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, l ...

'' ****''

Chiroteuthis picteti somaliensis ''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, l ...

'' 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''
Squid Bioluminescent molluscs {{squid-stub