Sepioteuthis
Encyclopedia
Sepioteuthis, commonly known as reef squids or oval squids, is a genus
of loliginid
squid
. Reef squids are easily recognizable by their large rounded fins that extend along almost the entire length of their mantle
s, giving them a superficial resemblance to cuttlefish
.
es.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of loliginid
Loliginidae
Loliginidae, commonly known as pencil squids, is an aquatic family of the order Teuthida .-Species:The following classification follows Vecchione et al. and the Tree of Life Web Project .*Genus Afrololigo...
squid
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...
. Reef squids are easily recognizable by their large rounded fins that extend along almost the entire length of their 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...
s, giving them a superficial resemblance to cuttlefish
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are marine animals of the order Sepiida. They belong to the class Cephalopoda . Despite their name, cuttlefish are not fish but molluscs....
.
Species
Three species are currently recognized, though S. australis and S. lessoniana are believed to be cryptic species complexCryptic species complex
In biology, a cryptic species complex is a group of species which satisfy the biological definition of species—that is, they are reproductively isolated from each other—but whose morphology is very similar ....
es.
- Sepioteuthis australis, Southern Reef Squid or Southern Calamary
- Sepioteuthis lessoniana, Bigfin Reef Squid or Northern Calamary
- Sepioteuthis sepioidea, Caribbean Reef Squid