''Grimpoteuthis discoveryi'' is a small species of octopus known from more than 50 specimens.
It was described in 2003, but specimens have been found as early as 1910. The
type species
In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...
was found at 49°35'N, 14°01'W.
Description
At maximum, ''Grimpoteuthis discoveryis mantle is 58 millimeters in length, and its body in total reaches 370 millimeters.
Its arms are long. ''G. discoveryi'', like other
cirrates, has a web covering its arms to some degree; this species' web reaches 2/3 of its arm length. The suckers on its arms number between 56 and 61. The suckers of female specimens are smaller than the suckers of males, and are also differently shaped.
The range in mantle size are larger in females (32-58mm) than males (25-52mm). Th
posterior salivary glandsand
radula
The radula (; : radulae or radulas) is an anatomical structure used by mollusks for feeding, sometimes compared to a tongue. It is a minutely toothed, chitinous ribbon, which is typically used for scraping or cutting food before the food enters ...
are both absent in this species, however, it
anterior salivary glandsare present.
The species' body is white, and its eyes are dark grey or black when preserved. It's possible that ''G. discoveryi'' is actually two separate species.
Habitat and population
This species has been found in the
bathyal zone (also called the midnight zone), specifically from 2,600 to 4,870 meters below the surface. It lives in the
Porcupine Seabight of the northeast Atlantic Ocean.
''G. discoveryi'' may be a
demersal
The demersal zone is the part of the sea or ocean (or deep lake) consisting of the part of the water column near to (and significantly affected by) the seabed and the benthos. The demersal zone is just above the benthic zone and forms a layer o ...
species, occupying both rocky and soft seafloor. While its population is unknown, the species is classified as Least Concern because it lives at such depths, where human activity is unlikely to affect it.
External linksA map of the mid-Atlantic ridge showing where specimens have been found
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q13647906
Cephalopods described in 2003
Molluscs of the Atlantic Ocean
Octopuses
Molluscs of Europe