Australiteuthis aldrichi
Encyclopedia
Australiteuthis aldrichi is a small species of squid
from northern Australia
n waters. It was described by Chung Cheng Lu in 2005 based on specimens collected in inshore waters of Northern Australia
. The largest known individual of this species is a mature female measuring 27.6 mm in mantle
length (ML). The holotype
is a mature male of 21.3 mm ML. A. aldrichi has never been seen alive.
A. aldrichi is characterised by several unique morphological
features. It has an unusual funnel locking-apparatus which contains a boomerang-shaped groove. Its fins are separated from each other and possess posterior lobes. The ink sac
contains a dumbbell-shaped photophore
.
The species is named after Frederick Allen Aldrich (1927–1991), a prominent teuthologist and former Moses Harvey Professor of Marine Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland
.
Squid
Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles...
from northern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n waters. It was described by Chung Cheng Lu in 2005 based on specimens collected in inshore waters of Northern Australia
Northern Australia
The term northern Australia is generally known to include two State and Territories, being Queensland and the Northern Territory . The part of Western Australia north of latitude 26° south—a definition widely used in law and State government policy—is also usually included...
. The largest known individual of this species is a mature female measuring 27.6 mm in mantle
Mantle (mollusc)
The mantle is a significant part of the anatomy of molluscs: it is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.In many, but by no means all, species of molluscs, the epidermis of the mantle secretes...
length (ML). The holotype
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
is a mature male of 21.3 mm ML. A. aldrichi has never been seen alive.
A. aldrichi is characterised by several unique morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
features. It has an unusual funnel locking-apparatus which contains a boomerang-shaped groove. Its fins are separated from each other and possess posterior lobes. The ink sac
Ink sac
With the exception of nocturnal and very deep water cephalopods, all coeloids which dwell in light conditions have an ink sac, which can be used to expel a cloud of dark ink to confuse predators. This sac is a muscular bag which originated as an extension of the hind gut...
contains a dumbbell-shaped photophore
Photophore
A photophore is a light-emitting organ which appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors...
.
The species is named after Frederick Allen Aldrich (1927–1991), a prominent teuthologist and former Moses Harvey Professor of Marine Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
.