This subfamily, as currently recognized, contains only the genus Illex. These are commercially important species found in neritic waters of the North and South Atlantic (Roper et al., 1998). The number of species in the North Atlantic has been controversial, with the validity of I. oxygonius repeatedly questioned. Carlini et al. (2006) used molecular methods to confirm that three species are present in the North Atlantic, although morphological identification of specimens other than mature males can be quite difficult.

Brief diagnosis:

Ommastrephids with ...

• suckers in eight series on tentacular club dactylus.