''Grimpoteuthis innominata'', commonly known as the small jellyhead, is a species of small, pelagic octopus described by

Steve O'Shea Steve O'Shea (born 14 December 1965 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a Marine biology, marine biologist and environmentalist known for his research on giant squid. O'Shea obtained his degrees from Auckland university. He undertook a Bachelor of Sci ...

in 1999 from two specimens, however several further specimens have since been identified. The genus ''Enigmateuthis'' was described to contain this species when described, but Martin Collins placed the species in the genus ''Grimpoteuthis'' due to uncertainty regarding the type specimen of ''Grimpoteuthis''.

Description and habitat

''Grimpoteuthis innominata'' has been collected from the

Chatham Rise The Chatham Rise is an area of ocean floor to the east of New Zealand, forming part of the Zealandia continent. It stretches for some from near the South Island in the west, to the Chatham Islands in the east. It is New Zealand's most productiv ...

to the east of New Zealand, with a bathymetric range approximately 1600 to 2400 meters depth, close to the seafloor (likely

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 ...

). The octopus is small, "fitting in two outstretched palms," and its colouring is dark red. This octopus' mantle reaches 43 millimeters long, and a total length up to 156 millimeters long on the type material, it has an internal

shell Shell may refer to: Architecture and design * Shell (structure), a thin structure ** Concrete shell, a thin shell of concrete, usually with no interior columns or exterior buttresses Science Biology * Seashell, a hard outer layer of a marine ani ...

shaped like the letter "U". Some additional specimens captured since its description are somewhat larger, with a mantle length up to 77 millimeters. Its lobe-like fins and the shape of its shell help separate it from other species of ''Grimpoteuthis'' living in the Pacific Ocean. There are between 50 and 60 suckers on each arm of the octopus, and the suckers of males are larger than those of females.

References

Octopuses Cephalopods of Oceania Molluscs of the Pacific Ocean Cephalopods described in 1999 Endemic fauna of New Zealand Endemic molluscs of New Zealand Molluscs of New Zealand Fauna of the Chatham Islands {{octopus-stub