Onychoteuthis

Onychoteuthis
File:Onychoteuthis banksii.jpg
Onychoteuthis banksii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Subclass:	Coleoidea
Order:	Teuthida
Suborder:	Oegopsina
Family:	Onychoteuthidae
Genus:	Onychoteuthis Lichtenstein, 1818
Species
See text

Onychoteuthis is a genus of squid in the family Onychoteuthidae. The type species is Onychoteuthis banksii, the common clubhook squid. While the genus is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans, they can also occur in the North Pacific Ocean.

Anatomy

File:Head of Onychoteuthis.png

Head and circum-oral processes of the fore-foot. a, Neck. b, Eye. c, The eight short arms. d, Long prehensile tentacles, the clavate extremities of which are provided with suckers at e, and with a double row of hooks beyond at f.

Most species belonging to the genus have a mantle length of under 200 mm, however the larger members may measure over 300 mm. Bilobed photophores are found upon the surface of each eyeball. The temporary conjunction of the arms by means of the suckers enables them to act in combination. The animal has long prehensile arms, the clavate extremities of which are provided with suckers and a double row of hooks.

Species

• Onychoteuthis banksii, common clubhook squid
• Onychoteuthis bergii
• Onychoteuthis borealijaponica, boreal clubhook squid
• Onychoteuthis compacta
• Onychoteuthis horstkottei
• Onychoteuthis lacrima
• Onychoteuthis meridiopacifica
• Onychoteuthis mollis
• Onychoteuthis prolata

Former species

The following four species have been reassigned to other genera.

• Onychoteuthis fabricii now in Gonatus
• Onychoteuthis ingens now in Onykia
• Onychoteuthis lesueurii now in Ancistrocheirus
• Onychoteuthis lichtensteinii now in Ancistroteuthis

External links

• Tree of Life web project: Onychoteuthis