Pterygioteuthis microlampas
Encyclopedia
Pterygioteuthis microlampas is a species of squid
in the family Pyroteuthidae
. They occur from northern New Zealand
oceans to the Hawaiian Islands
, however they do not overlap with the species P. gemmata
which lives in more southern waters. While there are numerous similarities between these two species, they are separated by the smaller mature size of P. microlampas (maximum mantle
length of 23 mm) and the fewer number of hooks on males. The species reproduce sexually during the late autumn to early winter, producing eggs with a diameter of 900 µm.
Squid
Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles...
in the family Pyroteuthidae
Pyroteuthidae
Fire squid are species belonging to the family Pyroteuthidae. The family comprises two genera. Species are diurnally mesopelagic, however migrate into surface waters during the night. The family is characterised by the tentacles, which have a permanent constriction and bend near the base; and...
. They occur from northern New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
oceans to the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, however they do not overlap with the species P. gemmata
Pterygioteuthis gemmata
Pterygioteuthis gemmata is a species of squid in the family Pyroteuthidae.-External links:**...
which lives in more southern waters. While there are numerous similarities between these two species, they are separated by the smaller mature size of P. microlampas (maximum mantle
Mantle (mollusc)
The mantle is a significant part of the anatomy of molluscs: it is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.In many, but by no means all, species of molluscs, the epidermis of the mantle secretes...
length of 23 mm) and the fewer number of hooks on males. The species reproduce sexually during the late autumn to early winter, producing eggs with a diameter of 900 µm.