Species of Helicocranchia are small, oceanic squid (100 mm ML) characterized by having a very large funnel and small paddle-like fins that attach to a portion of the gladius that rises above the muscular mantle. They exhibit a gradual ontogenetic descent from near-surface waters as paralarvae to lower mesopelagic depths as near-adults.

Diagnosis

A taoniin...

• with exceptionally large funnel relative to head and arms.
• with fins which project dorsally in advance of mantle apex.