Introduction

Magnapinna atlantica (formerly known as Magnapinna sp. A on this page) was originally described from two specimens taken from the North Atlantic. The holotype (US National Museum of Natural History cat. no. USNM 1086800) is a juvenile female, 59 mm ML, and was captured intact with damage only to the tips of the appendages. The paratype (Natural History Museum, London, cat. no. BMNH 20060134) is a juvenile male, 53 mm ML and was captured in relatively good condition. Recently subadult and adult males were captured and these are described here.

Brief diagnosis:

A magnapinnid with:

• tentacle bases narrower than adjacent arm bases.
• proximal tentacle without suckers but with glandular structures.
• chromatophores.