Opisthoteuthis chathamensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Cephalopoda |
Order: | Octopoda |
Family: | Opisthoteuthidae |
Genus: | Opisthoteuthis |
Species: | O. chathamensis
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Binomial name | |
Opisthoteuthis chathamensis O'Shea 1999
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Opisthoteuthis chathamensis, commonly known as the roughy umbrella octopus,[2] is a species of cirrate octopus restricted to demersal habitats surrounding the Chatham Rise in New Zealand. It is commonly known as the roughy umbrella octopus.[3]
Specimens have been recorded solely on soft sediments from 900–1438 meters deep.[4][5] The type locality of O. chathamensis is near the Chatham Islands at 44°44'S, 77°15'W, 1180 m. The species is known only from this area of the Chatham Rise and off the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand.[6] O. chathamensis reaches a maximum length of 18 cm TL, and a mantle length of 5.4 cm.[5] They are described as having subequal arms with around 41-45 suckers in males and 45-55 suckers in females.[6] Their oral surface and the webbing between their tentacles is maroon and the suckers are a pale cream.[7] O. chathamensis is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to a 70% decrease in population size in recent years, and has not been seen since 1999, when it was a common bycatch species. In addition, their longevity, low fecundity and slow growth (especially embryonic development which lasts 1.4-2.6 years among other species in the genus) has made them particularly susceptible to population declines and slow recoveries.[4][8]
...the roughy umbrella octopus Opisthoteuthis chathamensis...