Map Octopus

Euaxoctopus pillsburyae Voss, 1975

DIAGNOSIS.—Animals small (to 24 mm ML; to 219 mm TL). Mantle slender, subpyriform (MWI 58–71); neck distinct; head narrow (HWI 39–50); eyes small, protruding. Funnel organ presumably W-shaped (poorly preserved in all type material), limbs pointed. Arms exceptionally long (ALI 88–91), readily autonomized, arm order I > IV > III > II. Suckers small to moderate in size, widely spaced (SIn 6–9); especially enlarged suckers absent in males and females. Right arm III of males hectocotylized, considerably shorter than fellow (FAI < 16); ligula moderate in length (LLI 9–10), lanceolate, with numerous plicae; calamus moderate (CLI 45.5), triangular, acutely pointed, edges strongly inrolled. Web exceptionally shallow (WDI 5.4–5.6). Gill lamellae 7. Mature eggs not known. Penis small (PLI 15–16), with small, blunt diverticulum. Spermatophores small (SpLI 31), spermatophore horn with flat coils. Radula with A3–4 seriation of rachidian. Surface of mantle, head, and web smooth. Paired “ocelli” located on dorsum of mantle about midway between head and apex of mantle; “ocelli” consist of dark gray, oval splotch outlined by thin, raised, unpigmented, crescent-shaped ridge. Color in preservation (ethanol) grayish brown with fine reticulations.

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION.—Voss, 1975:346, figs. 1–4.

TYPE LOCALITY.—Caribbean Sea, Surinam, off Surinam River, R/V Pillsbury sta 662, 6°49′N, 54°26.5′W, 44 m.

TYPE.—Holotype: USNM 729100, male, 24 mm ML.

DISTRIBUTION.—Surinam and the northern coast of South America.

coastal