Introduction

Grimalditeuthis bonplandi is very gelatinous and contains vesiculate tissue in the head, arms and mantle. It is generally Chiroteuthis-like in appearance (long neck, body and fin shape) but is distinguished by subequal arms and fusion of each funnel-mantle locking apparatus. Only scattered chromatophores are present, and the eyes are small. This species is infrequently captured but seems to have a world-wide distribution in tropical to temperate seas.

Diagnosis

A chiroteuthid ...

• without suckers on clubs.
• with funnel fused to mantle at each funnel-mantle lock.
• without photophores except on arm tips in mature (?) females.