''Idioteuthis'' 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 n ...
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 mesopelagic and bathypelagic zone of most oceans. Originally de ...
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 family. The placement of ''Idioteuthis'' within the Mastigoteuthidae remains uncertain.
Species
*Genus ''Idioteuthis''
**''
Idioteuthis cordiformis
''Idioteuthis cordiformis'' is a species of whip-lash squid found in tropical regions of the west Pacific Ocean. The species is commonly known as the 'love-heart squid' because the species name ''cordiformis'' is Latin for 'heart shaped'. Recentl ...
''
( Chun, 1908)
**''
Idioteuthis latipinna
''Idioteuthis latipinna'' is a species of whip-lash squid. It is the type species of the genus ''Idioteuthis''. Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione consider ''I. latipinna'' to be a junior synonym of '' I. cordiformis'' and the World Regis ...
''
* Sasaki, 1916
The taxon listed above with an asterisk (
*) is a ''
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 term ...
'' and needs further study to determine if it is a valid taxon or a synonym.
References
*Salcedo-Vargas, M.A. 1997. Cephalopods from the Netherlands Indian Ocean Programme (NIOP) - II. Mastigoteuthid lineage and related forms. ''Beaufortia'' 47: 91-108.
External links
Whip-lash squid
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