''Echinoteuthis'' 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
whip-lash squid
The Mastigoteuthidae, also known as whip-lash squid, are a family of small deep-sea squid. Approximately 20 known species in six genera are represented, with members found in both the pelagic zone, mesopelagic and Bathypelagic zone, bathypelagic z ...
containing approximately three to five species. Some
teuthologist
Teuthology (from Ancient Greek, Greek τεῦθος, "Common Cuttlefish, cuttlefish, European squid, squid", and -λογία, ''-logy, -logia'') is the study of Cephalopod, cephalopods, which are members of the class Cephalopod, Cephalopoda in ...
s consider ''
Idioteuthis
''Idioteuthis'' is a genus of whip-lash squid containing at least one species. Some teuthologists consider it synonymous with ''Mastigoteuthis'', but genetics have confirmed the placement of this genus as distinct from all other genera in this fa ...
'' synonymous with this
taxon
In biology, a taxon (back-formation from ''taxonomy''; : taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular name and ...
.
The genus contains bioluminescent species.
Species
According to the
World Register of Marine Species
The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive catalogue and list of names of marine organisms.
Content
The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scien ...
the genus ''Echinoteuthis'' contains three species:
[
*'' Echinoteuthis atlantica'' (Joubin, 1933)
*'' Echinoteuthis danae'' Joubin, 1933
*'' Echinoteuthis famelica'' (]Berry
A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples of berries in the cul ...
, 1909)
However, the Tree of Life Project lists the following species in ''Echinoteuthis'':taxon inquirendum
In biological classification, a ''species inquirenda'' is a species of doubtful identity requiring further investigation. The use of the term in English-language biological literature dates back to at least the early nineteenth century.
The ter ...
'' and needs further study to determine if it is a valid species or a synonym.
References
External links
Whip-lash squid
Cephalopod genera
Bioluminescent molluscs
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