Overview
Brief Summary
Introduction
T. maculata is one of three similar species in the genus. The largest known specimen is an immature male of 143 mm ML. This is a small meso- to bathypelagic squid that is found in the tropical Eastern Atlantic. A detailed account of this species is given by N. Voss (1985).
Trusted
Comprehensive Description
Characteristics
- Arms
- Arms I and II of males with 3-4 series of suckers on modified tips.
- Arms I and II of males with 25-27 normal suckers proximal to modified ends.
- Largest arm III suckers 3 times basal suckers in diameter (at least 3.2% of GL in diameter).
Figure. Oral views of arm tips of T. maculata. Top - Arm I tip. Bottom - Arm II tip. These are the extreme tips of the arms and occupy between just 3% and 8% of the arm length. Subadult male, 143 mm GL. Drawings from Voss, 1985, pp. 33, 34.
- Mantle
- Single-point tubercle, poorly developed, at each funnel-mantle fusion.
Figure. Ventral view of the tubercle at the funnel-mantle fusion of T. maculata, hypotype, juvenile male, 123 mm GL. From Voss, 1985, pp. 33, 34.
- Single-point tubercle, poorly developed, at each funnel-mantle fusion.
- Tentacles
- Largest club suckers with 22-26 teeth.
Figure. Oral view of the largest sucker from club manus of T. maculata, male, 143 mm GL.
- Largest club suckers with 22-26 teeth.
Comments
The extent of the modifications to the arms of mature males is unknown. Additional details of the description of T. maculata can be found here.
Trusted
Distribution
-
UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1318
© WoRMS for SMEBD
Source:
World Register of Marine Species
Trusted
Vertical distribution
Data from opening-closing nets on the vertical distribution of this species have been reported at 11° N, 20° W (Lu and Clarke, 1975). Paralarvae up to about 20 mm ML were captured mostly in the upper 100 m during both the day and the night. By about 40 - 50 mm ML three of the four squid captured were taken between 500 - 700 m day and night; the fourth had apparently wandered upward at night and was taken at 300 - 400 m. The sparse data suggest that these squid undergo ontogenetic descent without diel vertical migration. Vertical distribution chart modified from Lu and Clarke, 1975.
Geographical distribution
T. maculata is known only from the tropical Eastern Atlantic in oceanic waters whose depth exceeds 1000 m. At the northern end of its range, it appears to be confined to the oceanographically distinct region of the Mauritanian Upwelling (Voss, 1985). For a comparison with the distribution of the other two species, see "Teuthowenia." Geographical distribution chart modified from Voss, 1985.
Trusted
Ecology
Habitat
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 1 sample.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 600 - 600
Temperature range (°C): 8.710 - 8.710
Nitrate (umol/L): 34.258 - 34.258
Salinity (PPS): 35.077 - 35.077
Oxygen (ml/l): 1.831 - 1.831
Phosphate (umol/l): 2.038 - 2.038
Silicate (umol/l): 19.301 - 19.301
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Trusted
Life History and Behavior
Life Cycle
Life history
The paralarval stage of T. maculata terminates at about 55 - 60 mm GL when the eyes become sessile. Generally a tubercule at the mantle-funnel fusion is not present in paralarvae. This species has chromatophores that are smaller, more numerous and more densely arranged than in the other species of the genus.
Figure. Dorsal views of growth stages of T. maculata. Left to right - 11 mm ML, 27 mm ML, 56 mm ML. Drawings from Voss, 1985, p. 22.
Trusted
Disclaimer
EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.
To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!
