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Family Vampyroteuthidae - vampire squids
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Order |
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Class |
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Cephalopoda |
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No. of Genera in Ref. |
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No. of Species in Ref. |
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Environment |
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Fresh : No |
Brackish : No |
Marine : Yes |
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Aquarium |
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First Fossil Record |
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Remark |
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Small to medium-sized species. Body gelatinous, with black pigmentation. Fins present on mantle: one pair on adults, two pairs on juveniles. The eight arms have a single row of stalked suckers starting from half way along their length extend to arm tips. Horny sucker rings absent. Each arm bears a double row of long thin fingers of skin (cirri). Pair of pits in web between bases of arms 1 and 2, each pit contains a long thread-like filament. Webs very deep; extend to near arm tips. Ink sac absent. Females store sperm in deep receptacles in front of each eye. Pair of large light organs present on the posterior mantle at the base of the adult fins. These light organs can be masked using black shutter-like lids. Other light organs present on the tips of the arms and in a scatter of small light organs on the ventral side of the head, body and arms. Arm tips capable of exuding bioluminescent particles. Single genus containing single species (Ref. 96968). |
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Etymology |
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Division |
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Marine |
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Reproductive guild |
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Typical activity level |
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Main Ref. |
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Coordinator |
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