Introduction

Onychoteuthids are small (ca. 7 cm ML) to large (ca. 150 cm ML), muscular squids that have two series of smooth-ringed suckers on the arms and two series of hooks on the tentacular clubs (rarely marginal suckers as well). Some species are common open ocean squids (e.g., Onychoteuthis spp.); others live near the ocean floor along continental or island slopes (bathyal region) (e.g., Onykia spp.).

Diagnosis

An oegopsid ...

• with buccal connectives attaching to ventral borders of arms IV.
• with hooks on tentacular clubs.
• with rostrum on conus of gladius.