Ancistrocheirus lesueurii

Sharpear enope squid
File:Ancistrocheirus lesueurii.jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Teuthida
Suborder:	Oegopsina
Family:	Ancistrocheiridae Pfeffer, 1912
Genus:	Ancistrocheirus Gray, 1849
Species:	A. lesueurii
Binomial name
Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (D'Orbigny, 1842)
Synonyms
Onychoteuthis lesueurii D'Orbigny, 1839 Theliodioteuthis alessandrini Vérany, 1851 Ancistrocheirus alessandrinii Vérany, 1851

Ancistrocheirus lesueurii, the sharpear enope squid, is the only species in the genus Ancistrocheirus and family Ancistrocheiridae. With a mantle length of 25 cm, this moderately sized squid may be found throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans. They tend to be found at mesopelagic depths (200-1000 m down).

Although only one species is recognized, some have suggested more than one species may exist due to differences in the paralarval morphology. Paralarva is the first free-living stage for cephalopods.

Characteristics

The buccal crown of the sharpear enope squid is heavily pigmented. The squid has no vesicles. There are hooks on all its arms. The suckers are absent from its manus and the squid's dactylus is reduced.

Photophores

Photophores occur throughout its body. Large photophores are present on its head, funnel, base of arms, and tentacular stalk. Other photophores are present on the ventral surface of its mantle (usually 22), with numerous very small photophores on its head, funnel, base of arms II and tentacular stalk. Mature males have large photophores on tips of arms IV opposite the mouth. Mature females have photophores on tips of their dorsal six arms. The number of large photopores on the squid's mantle increases as it matures.

References

• Tree of Life web project: Ancistrocheirus lesueurii
• ITIS entry