''Idioteuthis'' 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 at least one 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 it synonymous with ''
Mastigoteuthis
''Mastigoteuthis'' is a genus of whip-lash squid containing at least seven valid species. Some teuthologists consider ''Idioteuthis'' synonymous with this taxon.
The genus contains bioluminescent species.
Species
*Genus ''Mastigoteuthis''
**''M ...
'', 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''
( Chun, 1908)
**''
Idioteuthis latipinna''
* 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 ter ...
'' 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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