Histioteuthis celetaria is a poorly understood species with only 25 known specimens.

Voss, et al. (1998) consider this taxon a subspecies, H. celetaria celetaria.

1. Photophores
   1. Basal Row with 9 photophores and a single sawtooth (see arrow in photograph at right).
   

   Figure. Ventral view of the posterior margin of the head of H. celetaria, 39 mm ML, NMNH specimen, preserved. Photograph by R. Young.

2. Club suckers
   

   Figure. Oral view of a club sucker of H. celetaria, ventral series, holotype. Drawing from Voss (1969, Fig.15b).

   1. Suckers of 3 ventral-marginal rows of manus with broad, asymmetrical outer rings.
   2. Central suckers of manus only slightly enlarged.
   

   Figure. Oral view of the left tentacular club of H. celetaria, holotype. Drawing from Voss (1969, Fig.15e).

Comments

More details of the description can be found here.

Species of the celetaria-group are characterized by:

1. Head photophores:
   1. Type 1b pattern on head.
   2. Basal Row of head with 9 or 10 photophores.
   3. Right Basal Series of head absent.
   4. Arms IV with 3 longitudinal series on arm base (drawing below).
      
      Figure. Ventral view of right arm IV, holotype, 39 mm ML, female. Drawing from Voss (1969, Fig.15f).
   5. Most species with separate group of 4-8 compound photophores on ends of arms IV (drawing above) (Voss, et al., 1998). Apparently this feature is absent in H. inermis.
   6. Compound photophores of large, uniform size and evenly spaced on anterior 2/3 of ventral mantle.
2. Tubercles
   1. Absent.

The species differ in the following manner:

Character	H. celetaria	H. inermis	H. pacifica	H. sp. A
Club suckers
Asymmetrical outer sucker rings in:	3 ventral-marginal sucker series	No asymmetrical rings	2 ventral-marginal sucker series	No asymmetrical rings
Size of medial manal suckers:	Slightly larger than marginal suckers	2 X marginal suckers	1.5 X marginal suckers	Slightly larger than marginal suckers
Large manal-sucker dentition:	12-13 teeth on distal margin	20-27 teeth on entire margin	28-32 teeth on entire margin	15-20 teeth on distal margin
Photophores
Single sawtooth in Basal Row photophore pattern:	Yes	No sawtooth	No sawtooth	Yes
Number of photophores in Basal Row:	9	10	9	9

With the exception of the analysis of head photophores and the inclusion of H. inermis in this species group, most of the information presented here is from Voss (1969) and Voss, et al . (1998)

circum-(sub)tropical

Geographical distribution

Type locality:Northwestern Atlantic, 32°10'N,64° 45'W. H. celetaria occupies tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. However, it appears to be absent from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Voss et al., 1998).

mesopelagic

Depth range based on 12 specimens in 3 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 3 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 210 - 902.5
  Temperature range (°C): 4.330 - 16.589
  Nitrate (umol/L): 5.588 - 35.877
  Salinity (PPS): 34.469 - 36.361
  Oxygen (ml/l): 3.430 - 4.860
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.299 - 2.421
  Silicate (umol/l): 2.017 - 58.059

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 210 - 902.5

Temperature range (°C): 4.330 - 16.589

Nitrate (umol/L): 5.588 - 35.877

Salinity (PPS): 34.469 - 36.361

Oxygen (ml/l): 3.430 - 4.860

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.299 - 2.421

Silicate (umol/l): 2.017 - 58.059
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Single mature female (258 mm ML) and male (87 mm ML) known; mature eggs are 1.9 mm in diameter (Voss, et al, 1998). The smallest specimen illustrated is a 10.3 mm subadult. Paralarvae are unknown.