| Family: |
Bolitaenidae (pelagic octopods) |
| Max. size: |
16 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; marine; depth range 200 - 4000 m |
| Distribution: |
Worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Maximum depth from Ref. 110525. Depth range from 200 to 1,000 m. These small pelagic octopuses typically occur over deeper water as adults. Young animals tend to occur in the shallower end of the range. As members of this species reach sexual maturity the iridescence of the digestive gland and eyes is lost, and animals migrate to deeper darker waters in the later stages of the life cycle. Nearly mature males have salivary glands that are much larger than those of comparable females. Salivary products may be used as chemical attractant for females. The female light organ may be used for reproductive signalling to males (Ref. 96968). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
(LC); Date assessed: 26 January 2010 Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
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| Country info: |
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