[Mollusca • 2026] Microeledone galapagensis • A New Species of Microeledone (Octopoda: Incirrata) from Galápagos Islands and an amended diagnosis of the Megaleledonidae

 

Microeledone galapagensis 

Voight, Smith, Buglass & Ziegler, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.5 

 

Abstract

The octopod fauna of the deep tropical Pacific Ocean remains poorly known, as is the octopod family Megaleledonidae Taki. A single female megaleledonid specimen collected at 1773 m depth near the equatorial Galápagos island of Darwin is named Microeledone galapagensis sp. nov. This small, squat, short-armed octopod has few arm suckers and gill lamellae. Its lack of a crop diverticulum, ink sac, and anal flaps suggests that it pertains to Thaumeledone. However, its smooth skin, which dorsally is nearly free of pigment, large rachidian tooth, and large funnel organ ally it with the monotypic Microeledone. Its reverse countershading and dense pigmentation on the inner dorsal mantle musculature distinguish this species from Microeledone mangoldi Norman, Hochberg & Boucher-Rodoni, 2004a. This species belies the definition of the Megaleledonidae as large-bodied, Southern Ocean endemics, leading us to revise the family diagnosis. The short arms carrying few suckers in this genus and Thaumeledone are hypothesized to relate to heterochrony, potentially increasing energy available for reproduction and contributing to niche partitioning.

Mollusca, Thaumeledone, heterochrony, Pacific Ocean, deep sea, posterior salivary gland, ink sac, skin texture

Photos of Microeledone galapagensis sp.  nov. 
in situ (a); on recovery dorsal (b) and ventral (c) (photos by the Science Party of the NA064 cruise); in preservation dorsal (d) and ventral (e) views of entire animal. 

Microeledone galapagensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. With the characters of the genus; sheath covering inner dorsal mantle muscles heavily pigmented, internal organs lack pigment, except dots near mantle opening on mantle septum, rectum, and anus; posterior salivary glands medium, ca. 70% of buccal mass length; eyes large, slightly projecting.

Janet R. VOIGHT, Stephanie M. SMITH, Salome BUGLASS and Alexander ZIEGLER. 2026. A New Species of Microeledone from Galápagos Islands and an amended diagnosis of the Megaleledonidae (Octopoda: Incirrata). Zootaxa. 5814(4); 533-549. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.5 [2026-05-25]

     

[Paleontology • 2026] Earliest Octopuses were Giant Top Predators in Cretaceous Oceans

the Late Cretaceous finned octopus species Nanaimoteuthis sp. 

in Ikegam, Mutterlose, Sugiura, Takeda, Derin, ...et Iba, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.aea6285 

Artwork by Yohei Utsuki. 

Abstract

Top predators drive changes in ecosystem structure. For the last ~370 million years, large-sized vertebrates have dominated the apex of the marine food chain, while invertebrates have served as smaller prey. Here we describe invertebrate top predators from this “age of vertebrates,” the earliest finned octopuses (Cirrata) from Late Cretaceous sediments (~100 to 72 million years ago), as identified based on huge, exceptionally well-preserved fossil jaws and their wear. This extensive wear suggests dynamic crushing of hard skeletons. Asymmetric wear patterns further indicate lateralized behavior, suggesting advanced intelligence. With a calculated total length of ~7 to 19 meters, these octopuses may represent the largest invertebrates thus described, rivaling contemporaneous giant marine reptiles. Our findings show that powerful jaws, and the loss of superficial skeletons, convergently transformed cephalopods and marine vertebrates into huge, intelligent predators.

Huge lower jaws of fossil octopuses and of an extant giant squid. (A and B) The largest lower jaws of the Late Cretaceous finned octopus species Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi [(A) NMNS DS00042 3LmvTpM] and N. haggarti [(B) KMNH IvP 902001]. Both specimens show extensive loss of jaw material caused by wear.
(C) A lower jaw of the extant giant squid Architeuthis dux (NSMT-Mo 85956), a species having the largest jaw among modern cephalopods.
(A) is a digital fossil jaw visualized as a 3D model; (B) is an exceptionally well-preserved nondigital fossil jaw; and (C) is a modern jaw dissected from a carcass of ~10 m total body length. Solid lines indicate the extension of striation on the outer surface of the hood and broken lines show the estimated outline of the rostrum without wear. The hood and lateral walls lost by weathering, shown as shadowed areas, are reconstructed based on the holotype and specimens in fig. S4. (A) and (C) are exhibited in a mirrored position. Scale bar, 20 mm.

A sketch of the giant octopus.

artwork by Yohei Utsuki. 

 

Shin Ikegam, Jörg Mutterlose, Kanta Sugiura, Yusuke Takeda, Mehmet Oguz Derin, Aya Kubota, Kazuki Tainaka, Takahiro Harada, Harufumi Nishida and Yasuhiro Iba. 2026. Earliest Octopuses were Giant Top Predators in Cretaceous Oceans. Science. 392; 6796: 406-410. DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.aea6285 [23 Apr 2026] 

Editor’s summary: The Kraken, the giant cephalopod of legend, was feared by sailors for centuries. Later interpretations suggested that it may have been based on sightings of the giant squid, which can be 10 meters long. Although they lived far too early to have been the source of the legend, Ikegami et al. describe fossil octopods from the late Cretaceous that truly would have fit the description of the monster, reaching up to 19 meters in length. Wear patterns on their jaws suggest that these octopods preyed upon the large reptiles present at the time, including plesiosaurs and mosasaurs. The authors interpret asymmetry in these wear patterns as an indication of corresponding asymmetry in behavior, suggesting complex brain development and, potentially, high intelligence. —Sacha Vignieri

[Mollusca • 2025] Taningia silasii • A New Species of Deep-sea Squid Genus Taningia (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) from the Arabian Sea

Taningia silasii Sajikumar & Sasikumar,

in Sajikumar, Sasikumar, Ameri et Thomas, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01576-3

Abstract

A new species of the genus Taningia Joubin, 1931 (family Octopoteuthidae Berry, 1912), is described from the southeastern Arabian Sea, based on a single specimen collected in March 2024 at a depth of 390 m. This new species, Taningia silasii sp. nov., differs from congeners in a combination of traits, including the shape of the funnel-mantle locking cartilage, nuchal-locking cartilage, lower beak morphology, gill lamellae count, and distinct genetic divergence as revealed by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes, with uncorrected p-distances of 11.8–12.1% (COI) and 4.3–4.5% (16S rRNA) from T. danae. Phylogenetic trees clearly separate Taningia silasii sp. nov. from Atlantic Ocean lineages of T. danae, supporting its recognition as a distinct species. The genus Taningia appears to represent a species complex, comprising the newly described Indian Ocean lineage and at least two distinct lineages from the Atlantic Ocean. These findings, based on integrated morphological and molecular analyses, highlight hidden diversity within Taningia and expand the known biogeographic range of the genus.

Keywords: Indian octopus squid, Southeastern Arabian Sea, New species, Morphology, Molecular taxonomy

a Dorsal and b ventral view of Taningia silasii sp. nov. from the Arabian Sea,
 dotted lines showing the proportion of aborted arms; right fin (dotted line) proportion extrapolated from left fin

Octopoteuthidae Berry, 1912

Taningia Joubin, 1931

Taningia silasii sp. nov. Sajikumar and Sasikumar

Proposed common name: Indian octopus squid

Sajikumar KK, Geetha Sasikumar, Shijin Ameri and Toji Thomas. 2025.  Description of A New Species of Deep-sea Squid Genus Taningia (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) from the Arabian Sea. Marine Biodiversity. 55, 107. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01576-3 [14 November 2025]

New deep-sea ‘Octopus Squid’ discovered in Arabian Sea

CMFRI scientists discover new species of a rare octopus squid; Named after eminent marine biologist Dr E. G. Silas

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2192497&reg=3&lang=2

[Mollusca • 2025] Grimpoteuthis feitiana • Flying in the Deep: the Description of A New Species of Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Cirrata: Grimpoteuthidae) from the Caroline Seamount, with ecological adaptation of dumbo octopuses

 

 Grimpoteuthis feitiana

Tang, Zheng & Zhang, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-025-00678-x

Abstract

The dumbo octopus is a deep-sea benthic macrofauna belonging to the Cirrata. It is considered a primitive taxon, displaying adaptive characteristics for deep-sea environments. In the course of a 2017 survey, a single specimen of Grimpoteuthis was captured at a depth of 1240.0 m on the Caroline Seamount in the Western Pacific Ocean. Through integrative taxonomy, this species was identified as new to science and named Grimpoteuthis feitiana sp. nov. In this study, the mitogenomes of the new species, together with another unidentified Grimpoteuthis sp. sampled from the Zhenbei Seamount, were fully sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses strongly supported the monophyly of the Grimpoteuthis and its close relationship with Luteuthis. Grimpoteuthidae was grouped with Opisthoteuthidae, Cirroctopodidae, and Cirroteuthidae in succession. Our analyses revealed that certain residues in the mitochondrial genes of deep-sea octopods have undergone positive selection, potentially contributing to their adaptations to energetic requirements. Our study emphasizes the importance of increasing sample size to offer further morphological and phylogenetic evidence and insights into octopus adaptations to the deep-sea environment in future studies.

Keywords: New species, Cirrata, Deep-sea, Mitochondrial genome, Phylogenetics, Adaptive evolution

Overall form of Grimpoteuthis feitiana sp. nov. (MBM229046).
a-b frame grabs from the video. c-f photographed fresh collection on 21 August 2017. c left side, lateral view. d right side, lateral view. e ventral view. f dorsal view. g-h photographed ethanol-preserved specimen. g dorsal view. h ventral view.

Class Cephalopoda Cuvier, 1797

Order Octopoda Leach, 1818.

Suborder Cirrata Grimpe, 1916.

Family Grimpoteuthidae O’Shea, 1999

Genus Grimpoteuthis Robson, 1932

Grimpoteuthis feitiana sp. nov. 

Etymology. The species epithet ‘feitiana’ is derived from ‘feitian’, a goddess known in Chinese Mogao Cave Culture for her graceful dancing in the air, resembling this dumbo octopus flying underwater.

 

Yan Tang, Xiaodong Zheng and Junlong Zhang. 2025. Flying in the Deep: the Description of A New Species of Grimpoteuthis (Octopoda: Cirrata: Grimpoteuthidae) from the Caroline Seamount, with ecological adaptation of dumbo octopuses. Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 25; 269–285. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-025-00678-x [21 April 2025]

Researchgate.net/publication/390979774_a_new_species_of_Grimpoteuthis_from_the_Caroline_Seamount

[Mollusca • 2025] Flapjack Octopods of Australia (Cephalopoda: Cirrata: Opisthoteuthidae), Part II northwestern Australia and adjacent waters: Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis & Insigniteuthis extensa comb. nov.

Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis

Verhoeff, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.54102/ajt.c46g9

Abstract

Herein the flapjack octopods (Opisthoteuthidae) of northwestern Australia in addition to adjacent Indonesian waters are examined. Three species are identified, all distinct from taxa recorded off southern and southeastern Australia in the preceding Part I contribution. A new species in genus Opisthoteuthis, O. carnarvonensis sp. nov., is described from five specimens collected off northwestern Australia. Opisthoteuthis cf. philipii is described from off northwestern Australia (single specimen) and Indonesian waters (seven specimens). Lastly, a partial re-description is provided for O. extensa, which is transferred to genus Insigniteuthis (comb. nov.) and has its range extended to Java and northwestern Australia, the male of I. extensa is shown to be comparable to I. dongshaensis in enlarged sucker configuration. A key is proposed to enable the identification of Opisthoteuthidae globally.

Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Opisthoteuthid with 70–78 suckers per arm of adult, a DESF of 6–10 enlarged suckers on all arms of males, located between the ~28–38th sucker, DESF sucker ⌀ < PESF sucker ⌀, and arms with web nodules; with dark brown−red aboral pigmentation and areolar spots on head and along arms. Internally with digestive gland bilobed, 7 or 8 lamellae per gill, AGC2 and 3 combined only half AG1 greatest dimensions, and with intestine approximately equal to oesophagus in length.

Etymology: Specific epithet ‘carnarvonensis’ is in reference to the Carnarvon Canyon Marine Park, from where the type material was collected, the Latin adjectival suffix ‘-ensis’ (=originating in) added to form an adjective.

 Tristan Joseph Verhoeff. 2025. Flapjack Octopods of Australia (Cephalopoda: Cirrata: Opisthoteuthidae), Part II northwestern Australia and adjacent waters.  Australian Journal of Taxonomy. 92: 1–28. DOI: doi.org/10.54102/ajt.c46g9 [13/5/2025]

[Crustacea • 2017] Heteromysis cancelli, H. fosteri & H. octopodis • Three New Species of Heteromysis (Mysida: Mysidae: Heteromysini) from the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, with first documentation of a mysid-cephalopod association

Heteromysis octopodis 

Wittmann & Griffiths, 2017

 DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.685.13890

Abstract

Faunistic studies in sublittoral and littoral marine habitats on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, have yielded three new species belonging to the genus Heteromysis, subgenus Heteromysis: H. cancelli sp. n. associated with the diogenid hermit crab Cancellus macrothrix Stebbing, 1924, and H. fosteri sp. n. extracted from ‘empty’ urchin and gastropod shells. The first documented mysid-cephalopod association is reported for H. octopodis sp. n. which was found in dens occupied by Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797, but was also captured from tide pools. The three new species differ from previously known E. Atlantic species, among other characters, by a single spine on the endopods of uropods in combination with large cornea and absence of median sternal processes on thoracic somites. They are also characterized by a white stripe along the dorso-lateral terminal margin of the eyestalks in living specimens. The new species appear quite similar to each other, but are distinguished by different depths of the telson cleft, different distributions of spines on the lateral margins of the telson, different numbers of segments on thoracic endopod 4, and by differently modified setae on the carpus of the third thoracic endopod, as well as on the carpopropodus of the fourth endopod. An updated key to the species of Heteromysis known from the E. Atlantic is given.

Keywords: Crustacea, hermit crab association, octopus association, ectocommensals, taxonomy, key to species, SE. Atlantic

 A subadult female of Heteromysis octopodis sp. n. with 11 mm body length from tide pool
B multi-species association inside den in 3 m depth, occupied by Octopus vulgaris, to the right with the crab Guinusia chabrus; upper arrow points to a mysid school of what we assume to be H. octopodis sp. n., lower arrow to a different but undetermined mysid species.

A, B from Miller’s Point, Cape Peninsula, South Africa; in situ images by Craig Foster B image is taken of the same octopus den from which the samples were collected, but on a different date. 

 Karl J. Wittmann and Charles L. Griffiths. 2017. Three New Species of Heteromysis (Mysida, Mysidae, Heteromysini) from the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, with first documentation of a mysid-cephalopod association. ZooKeys. 685; 15-47.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.685.13890

[Mollusca • 2023] Kodama jujutsu & Idiosepius kijimuna • Two New Pygmy Squids (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Kodama jujutsu 

 Reid, Sato, Jolly & Strugnell, 2023

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-023-04305-1

Researchgate.net/publication/374900966

Abstract

Two new pygmy squid from the Ryukyu archipelago, Japan, are described: Kodama jujutsu, n. gen., n. sp. and Idiosepius kijimuna, n. sp. They differ from all other nominal species in a combination of traits, including the number of tentacular club suckers, shape of the funnel-mantle locking-cartilage, modification of the male hectocotylus and the structure of the gladius and nuchal-locking cartilage, in addition to mitochondrial DNA markers (12S, 16S and COI). They are both known from Okinawa Island and there is some overlap in their distributions. In a molecular phylogeny that includes all nominal Idiosepiidae, Kodama jujutsu, n. gen., n. sp. is sister taxon to a clade containing Xipholeptos Reid & Strugnell, 2018 and Idiosepius Steenstrup, 1881. Xipholeptos and Idiosepius are sister taxa. Idiosepius spp. now includes seven nominal species. In addition, aspects of the behaviour of the new species are described.

Keywords: Pygmy squid, Kodama, Idiosepius, Idiosepius kijimuna, Kodama jujutsu, Ryukyu archipelago

Live Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp.
 attached to vegetation using dorsal adhesive pad.

Photo by Brandon Hannan 

Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp.

Etymology: The species name is used for creatures in Okinawan mythology. The Kijimunā are said to be elfin creatures that make their home in the banyan trees that grow over the Ryukyu Archipelago. Their diet consists entirely of seafood and they are excellent fishers. They avoid octopuses at all costs. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Kodama n. gen.

Etymology: The generic name Kodama refers to a tree spirit in Japanese folklore. It has a reputation of being rounded in shape. The presence of Kodama is a sign of a healthy forest. We have chosen this name to suggest its extension to representing a healthy reef.

 Kodama jujutsu, n. sp.

Etymology: The specific name jujutsu is derived from the Japanese word jūjutsu that is a martial art of the same name, translating to ‘gentle art’. The goal of the sport is to control your opponents by grappling them. This pygmy squid has been seeing grappling shrimp in a similar fashion. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp.
 a–h, live animals photographed in the wild. i laboratory reared hatchling, dorsal view. j ventral view same specimen. The large white testis toward the posterior end of the mantle is clearly visible in images c, e and h. Prominent skin tags posterior to the eyes can be seen in c, e, g and h, and the nipple-like posterior tip of the mantle apparent in some postures is shown in a, c, and h. Curling and recurving the arms appears to be a common posture.

Photos: a, c, d–h, © Shawn Miller; b © Brandon Hannan; i, j © Jeff Jolly

Researchgate.net/publication/374900966

Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp. a stuck to a hydroid that is being consumed by the nudibranch Bornella anguilla. b side view and c antero-lateral foreshortened view, capturing ovigerous caridean shrimp.

Photos: © Brandon Hannan

Researchgate.net/publication/374900966

Amanda Reid, Noriyosi Sato, Jeffrey Jolly & Jan Strugnell. 2023. Two New Pygmy Squids, Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp. and Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp. (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.  Marine Biology. 170: 167. DOI: 10.1007/s00227-023-04305-1

Researchgate.net/publication/374900966_Two_new_pygmy_squids_Idiosepius_kijimuna_n_sp_and_Kodama_jujutsu_n_gen_n_sp_from_the_Ryukyu_Islands_Japan

 phys.org/news/2023-10-pygmy-squids-corals-japan.html

[Paleontology • 2023] Idahocolumbites phatthalungensis • Olenekian (Early Triassic) Ammonoids and Conodonts from southern Thailand

Idahocolumbites phatthalungensis Thongterm & Shigeta, 

in Tongtherm, Shigeta, Sardsud, Asato, Maekawa, Haga, Agematsu et Sashida, 2023

National Museum of Nature and Science Monographs. 54. 

 kahaku.go.jp/english/research/publication/monograph/v54.html 

 facebook.com/Tongtherm

Abstract 

We document an extensive biostratigraphic investigation of a section of the Phukhaothong Dolomite Member of the marine Triassic Chaiburi Formation (part of the Sibumasu [or Shan-Thai] Block), which is exposed on the north side of an isolated mountain at Khao Thong in the Phatthalung area of southern Thailand. The 104 m+ thick section, consisting of bedded to massive, light grey dolomite, contains ammonoids in the middle to upper parts, and conodonts occur in abundant throughout the section. Seven distinct early Spathian (late Olenekian) ammonoid assemblages, a late Smithian (early Olenekian) conodont zone and three early Spathian conodont zones are recognized in ascending order as follows: ammonoids-Columbites sp. indet. beds, Arctomeekoceras? sp. indet. beds, Tirolites sp. indet. B beds, Tirolites sp. indet. C beds and Tirolites sp. indet. D bed in the Tirolites-Columbites Zone, and the Idahocolumbites cheneyi beds and Idahocolumbites phatthalungensis beds in the Idahocolumbites Zone; conodonts-late Smithian, Hadrodontina aequabilis-Staeschegnathus perrii Zone, early Spathian Icriospathodus crassatus Zone, Triassospathodus symmetricus-Novispathodus anhuiensis Zone and Novispathodus sp. I-Novispathodus sp. J Zone. The age of the primitive ichthyopterygian Thaisaurus chonglakmanii collected from the Idahocolumbites cheneyi beds is constrained to the early Spathian, thus suggesting it is the oldest known ichthyopterygian, because the range of Marcouxia and Idahocolumbites is limited to the Columbites parisianus Subzone of the lower Spathian in the western USA. The Spathian ammonoid faunas exhibit a very strong relationship with other Tethyan as well as eastern Panthalassa faunas in the low paleolatitudes, but bear very little or no relationship with middle and higher latitudinal faunas, suggesting the existence of a strong latitudinal diversity gradient during the Spathian. Late Smithian and early Spathian conodont faunas also exhibit a strong relationship with low paleolatitudinal faunas. Fifty-eight taxa (ammonoids: 26, conodonts: 32) are documented and one new ammonoid species, i.e., Idahocolumbites phatthalungensis, is described.

Keywords: ammonoids, biostratigraphy, Chaiburi Formation, conodonts, Early Triassic, Olenekian,

Phatthalung, Smithian, Spathian, Thailand.

 

 Idahocolumbites phatthalungensis

  Kittichai Tongtherm, Yasunari Shigeta, Apsorn Sardsud, Kaito Asato, Takumi Maekawa, Takuma Haga, Sachiko Agematsu and Katsuo Sashida. 2023. Olenekian (Early Triassic) Ammonoids and Conodonts from southern Thailand. National Museum of Nature and Science Monographs. 54.

  kahaku.go.jp/english/research/publication/monograph/v54.html

  facebook.com/Tongtherm/posts/6166523333381548

หมวดหินชัยบุรี ในยุคไทรแอสซิก ที่พบใน จ.พัทลุง 

ชั้นหินบริเวณเขาทองอยู่ในช่วงรอยต่อของต้นยุคไทรแอสซิก อายุย่อย Smithian-Spathian ซึ่งตรงกับเหตุการ Smithian-Spathian boundary (SSB) ที่เป็นช่วงตรวจเจอปริมาณคาร์บอนสะสมเป็นจำนวนมากในทะเลส่วนหนึ่งเป็นผลมาจากการปะทุของลาวา ซึ่งทำให้เกิดการสูญพันธุ์ครั้งใหญ่ช่วงสิ้นยุคเพอร์เมียน (P–T extinction event) ที่กว่าสิ่งมีชีวิตจะฟื้นตัวกลับมาใช้เวลานานมาก ทั้งนี้กลุ่มแอมโมนอยด์และโคโนดอนต์เป็นกลุ่มที่ฟื้นตัวเร็วกว่ากลุ่มอื่น โดยในครั้งนี้สามารถกำหนด Biozone ของหมวดหินนี้จากฟอสซิลได้และเทียบเคียงได้กับชั้นหินเดียวกันทั่วโลก ที่เราพบอยู่ประมาณ 33 แหล่งเท่านั้น

งานครั้งนี้พบซากดึกดำบรรพ์ทั้งสิ้น 58 ชนิด เป็นแอมโมนอยด์ 26 ชนิด โคโนดอนต์ 32 ชนิด และนอกจากนี้เรายังพบแอมโมนอยด์ชนิดใหม่ทางวิทยาศาสตร์ คือ Idahocolumbites phatthalungensis ไอดาโฮโคลัมไบเทส พัทลุงเอนซิส โดยตั้งชื่อตามชื่อจังหวัดพัทลุง

[Mollusca • 2023] Nautilus vitiensis, N. samoaensis & N. vanuatuensis • Three New Species of Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758 (Cephalopoda: Nautilidae) from the Coral Sea and South Pacific

A, B Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov. 
C N. vanuatuensis sp. nov. D N. vitiensis sp. nov.

Barord, Combosch, Giribet, Landman, Lemer, Veloso & Ward, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.84427

Abstract

Nautiloids are a charismatic group of marine molluscs best known for their rich fossil record, but today they are restricted to a handful of species in the family Nautilidae from around the Coral Triangle. Recent genetic work has shown a disconnect between traditional species, originally defined on shell characters, but now with new findings from genetic structure of various Nautilus populations. Here, three new species of Nautilus from the Coral Sea and South Pacific region are formally named using observations of shell and soft anatomical data augmented by genetic information: N. samoaensis sp. nov. (from American Samoa), N. vitiensis sp. nov. (from Fiji), and N. vanuatuensis sp. nov. (from Vanuatu). The formal naming of these three species is timely considering the new and recently published information on genetic structure, geographic occurrence, and new morphological characters, including color patterns of shell and soft part morphology of hood, and will aid in managing these possibly endangered animals. As recently proposed from genetic analyses, there is a strong geographic component affecting taxonomy, with the new species coming from larger island groups that are separated by at least 200 km of deep water (greater than 800 m) from other Nautilus populations and potential habitats. Nautilid shells implode at depths greater than 800 m and depth therefore acts as a biogeographical barrier separating these species. This isolation, coupled with the unique, endemic species in each locale, are important considerations for the conservation management of the extant Nautilus species and populations.

Keywords: Conservation, deep-sea, Nautilidae, Nautilus, taxonomy

Class Cephalopoda Cuvier, 1795

Order Ectocochliata Schwartz, 1894

Subclass Nautiloidea Agassiz, 1847

Family Nautilidae de Blainville, 1825

Genus Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758

 Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus, 1758 

(type species of Nautilus)

Underwater photos of living Nautilus
A, B Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov. C N. vanuatuensis sp. nov. D N. vitiensis sp. nov.

 Nautilus vitiensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet, an adjective, refers to the type locality, the island of Viti Levu, Fiji, where the type specimen plus additional released specimens sampled for genetic work were collected.

Habitat and distribution: Nautilus vitiensis sp. nov. inhabits areas along the coast of Viti Levu, Fiji at Suva Harbour and Pacific Harbour. Specimens were collected and filmed (Suppl. material 1: video 1) at depths between 200–400 m (Tajika et al. 2022).

 Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet, an adjective, refers to the type locality, American Samoa.

Habitat and distribution: Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov. inhabits areas near Pago Pago, American Samoa. Specimens were collected and filmed (Suppl. material 2: video 2) at depths between 200 and 400 m.

 Nautilus vanuatuensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet, an adjective, refers to the type locality, Vanuatu, where all the known specimens have been collected.

Habitat and distribution: Nautilus vanuatuensis inhabits sites within Mele Bay, Vanuatu. Specimens were collected and filmed (Suppl. material 3: video 3) at depths of 200–400 m.

Conclusions: 

The three species, Nautilus vitiensis, N. samoaensis, and N. vanuatuensis represent populations of nautiluses on the easternmost edge of the overall habitat range of Nautilus. The designation of these three populations as distinct species provides insight into evolutionary radiation of the genus and clarification for future conservation practices.

Gregory J. Barord, David J. Combosch, Gonzalo Giribet, Neil Landman, Sarah Lemer, Job Veloso and Peter D. Ward. 2023. Three New Species of Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) from the Coral Sea and South Pacific. ZooKeys. 1143: 51-69. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.84427

[Invertebrate • 2022] Callistoctopus xiaohongxu • Morphological Description and mitochondrial DNA-based Phylogenetic Placement of A New Species of Callistoctopus Taki, 1964 (Cephalopoda, Octopodidae) from the southeast waters of China

Callistoctopus xiaohongxu 

Zheng, Xu & Li, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1121.86264

Abstract

In this study, we described a new species of octopus and named it Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov. based on nine specimens captured in the waters of southeast China. Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov. is a small to moderate-sized octopus. The most characteristic and defining morphological features are the reddish-orange to reddish-brown skin, gills with 8 or 9 lamellae per demibranch, \∧/-shaped funnel organ, and small suckers. Fragments obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of nine specimens were 593 bp in length, and the genetic distance among the specimens of C. xiaohongxu sp. nov. and the other 16 octopods ranged from 11.13 to 21.09%. Topologies resulting from ML and BI analyses of the COI gene showed a highly supported monophyletic clade (bootstrap value [BS] = 94%, posterior probability [PP] = 100%) containing all the specimens identified as C. xiaohongxu sp. nov.

Keywords: Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov., COI gene, new species, octopus, taxonomy

Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov., holotype, male, 45.5 mm ML (OUC-201808200301)
A photograph of dorsal view B photograph of ventral view.

Scale bars: 10 mm (A, B).

Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov.
A proximal portion of arms 1–3 (left side), male, 49.5 mm ML (OUC-201812050301) B funnel organ, male, 53.2 mm ML (OUC-201812050302) C oral view of basal portion of arms, male, 63.2mm ML (OUC-201812050304) D distal portion of hectocotylus, male, 63.2 mm ML (OUC-201812050304).

Abbreviations: c, calamus; l, ligula. Scale bars: 10 mm (B, C, D).

Order Octopoda Leach, 1818

Family Octopodidae d’Orbigny, 1840

Genus Callistoctopus Taki, 1964

Type species: Callistoctopus ornatus (Gould, 1852).

 Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Small to moderate size (ML 41.7–83.3 mm). Colour of skin reddish-orange to reddish-brown, no papillae or patch. One or two lines of black chromatophores on the lateral margins of arms under the skin (Fig. 2A). Head narrow (HWI 23.0–39.1). Arms of moderate length (ALI 154.9–336.3), thin (AWI 8.7–18.0). Web deep (WDI 15.7–22.9). Suckers small (SDI 5.0–6.9) and biserial. Enlarged suckers absent. Funnel organ \ /\ /-shaped, long (FLI 51.0–68.5). Gills with 8–9 lamellae per demibranch. Ligula moderate size (LLI 7.0–11.6) with groove.

Callistoctopus xiaohongxu sp. nov.
A live specimen B net-like structure on web.

Etymology: The name ‘xiaohongxu’, which refers to its small body size and reddish body colour, is the phonetic translation of the local Chinese name of this species in Zhangzhou, where specimens were collected.

Distribution: According to fishermen in Zhangzhou, this species is distributed in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, mainly in Quanzhou, Fujian Province to Shanwei, Guangdong Province.

Xiaodong Zheng, Chenxi Xu and Jiahua Li. 2022. Morphological Description and mitochondrial DNA-based Phylogenetic Placement of A New Species of Callistoctopus Taki, 1964 (Cephalopoda, Octopodidae) from the southeast waters of China. ZooKeys. 1121: 1-15. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1121.86264

[Invertebrate • 2022] Sepioloidea jaelae & S. virgilioi • Two New ‘Bottletail Squids’ (Cephalopoda: Sepiadariidae: Sepioloidea) from New Zealand, with New Observations on Sepioloidea pacifica (Kirk, 1882)

 Sepioloidea virgilioi   

Sepioloidea jaelae 

Santos, Bolstad & Braid, 2022

DOI: 10.1007/s12526-021-01247-z 

 australian.museum

Abstract

Members of the cephalopod family Sepiadariidae Fischer, 1882, commonly called ‘bottletail squids’, are known primarily from the Indo-Pacific and southwest Pacific. To date, only one species is known to occur in New Zealand waters: Sepioloidea pacifica (Kirk, 1882). However, researchers have long suspected the presence of additional species in the genus Sepioloidea d’Orbigny, 1845 in Férussac & d’Orbigny 1835-1848. The majority of known Sepioloidea material from New Zealand national collections was examined; both morphological and, where available, molecular characters are compared. As a result, two new species, Sepioloidea virgilioi sp. nov. and Sepioloidea jaelae sp. nov., are recognised and described. Diagnostic morphological characters include the tentacular club sucker arrangement and hectocotylus structure. Molecular data support the recognition of these two new taxa, with sampled populations of each of the three available Sepioloidea falling within three monophyletic clades following analysis of COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) sequence data. The minimum interspecific distance is 11.09%—far greater than the maximum intraspecific distance (1.57%). A revised diagnosis for S. pacifica sensu stricto is also provided.

Keywords: Sepiolida, Taxonomy, Southwest Pacific, DNA barcode, COI

Sepioloidea jaelae.

Left: whole organism sketch.

Upper centre and upper right: whole organism shortly after capture [credit: Rob Stewart, NIWA, New Zealand].

Lower centre: hectocotylus. 

Lower right: tentacular club.

Sepioloidea virgilioi.

 Left: whole organism sketch.

Upper centre: live organism [Hurst (1969)]. 

Upper right: preserved specimen. 

Lower centre: hectocotylus. Lower right: tentacular club.

Sepioloidea virgilioi sp. nov.

 Sepioloidea jaelae sp. nov. 

 

Jaever M. Santos, Kathrin S. R. Bolstad and Heather E. Braid. 2022. Two New ‘Bottletail Squids’ (Cephalopoda: Sepiadariidae: Sepioloidea) from New Zealand, with New Observations on Sepioloidea pacifica (Kirk, 1882). Marine Biodiversity. 52: 26. DOI: 10.1007/s12526-021-01247-z

 

Deep dark dumplings: Two new bottletail squids from New Zealand

australian.museum/blog/amri-news/deep-dark-dumplings-two-new-bottletail-squids-from-new-zealand/

[Paleontology • 2022] Syllipsimopodi bideni • Fossil Coleoid Cephalopod (Cephalopoda: Coleoidea) from the Mississippian Bear Gulch Lagerstätte sheds light on early Vampyropod Evolution

Syllipsimopodi bideni 

Whalen & Landman, 2022

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28333-5

 Reconstruction by K. Whalen.

Abstract

We describe an exceptionally well-preserved vampyropod, Syllipsimopodi bideni gen. et sp. nov., from the Carboniferous (Mississippian) Bear Gulch Lagerstätte of Montana, USA. The specimen possesses a gladius and ten robust arms bearing biserial rows of suckers; it is the only known vampyropod to retain the ancestral ten-arm condition. Syllipsimopodi is the oldest definitive vampyropod and crown coleoid, pushing back the fossil record of this group by ~81.9 million years, corroborating molecular clock estimates. Using a Bayesian tip-dated phylogeny of fossil neocoleoid cephalopods, we demonstrate that Syllipsimopodi is the earliest-diverging known vampyropod. This strongly challenges the common hypothesis that vampyropods descended from a Triassic phragmoteuthid belemnoid. As early as the Mississippian, vampyropods were evidently characterized by the loss of the chambered phragmocone and primordial rostrum—traits retained in belemnoids and many extant decabrachians. A pair of arms may have been elongated, which when combined with the long gladius and terminal fins, indicates that the morphology of the earliest vampyropods superficially resembled extant squids.

Syllipsimopodi bideni gen. et sp. nov., holotype ROMIP 64897.
 a Schematic drawing of Syllipsimopodi bideni gen. et sp. nov.; teal = gladius, orange = head (including arms), brown = buccal apparatus, gray = ink sac, blue = conus, magenta = fin support, patterned yellow = scale-like patches (possible connective tissue remnant).
b Increased contrast false color image of Syllipsimopodi, holotype ROMIP 64897. Scale = 1 cm.
c Artistic reconstruction showing suckers (created by K. Whalen).

  

Syllipsimopodi bideni gen. et sp. nov., holotype ROMIP 64897, showing arm crown.
 a–d Scale = 1 cm. a Complete body fossil. b–d Showing arm crown; c arm traces in blue, purple indicates the arm is overlapping below two other arms, green indicates the arm is overlapping above itself; d red and yellow circles mark individual suckers.
e–g scale = 5 mm; closeup of arms showing suckers, select suckers indicated with white arrows.

Class: Cephalopoda Cuvier 1795 

Subclass: Coleoidea Bather 1888 

Clade: Vampyropoda von Boletzky 1992 

Syllipsimopodi bideni gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype. ROMIP 64897 (Royal Ontario Museum).

Material. The type and only specimen was donated to the Royal Ontario Museum by B. Hawes in 1988; accession number 88-72717. There is no counterpart.

Locality. Bear Gulch Limestone, Heath Formation, Big Snowy Group, Fergus County, Montana, USA. The Bear Gulch Limestone is a plattenkalk, or lithographic limestone, similar to the more famous Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone of Germany. ...

Horizon. Bear Gulch Limestone, Arnsbergian E2b (~328.3–324.5 Ma), Serpukhovian (Namurian), Mississippian, Carboniferous8,18,32.

Diagnosis. Coleoid with simple, nearly triangular gladius, bearing funnel-like conus and median field with median rib, but no hyperbolar zones, cone flags, or lateral reinforcements; lateral fields unlikely. Lacking chambered phragmocone, primordial rostrum, or rostrum. Ten arms bearing biserial rows of suckers but no hooks or cirri; two arms may be elongated (though this could be taphonomic). Ink sac present. Terminal median fin support and one fin pair present.

Etymology. The genus name is derived from the Greek συλλήψιμος (syllípsimos) for prehensile and πόδι (pódi) for foot. The name prehensile-foot is chosen because this is the oldest known cephalopod to develop suckers, allowing the arms, which are modifications of the molluscan foot, to better grasp prey and other objects. The species name is to celebrate the recently inaugurated (at the time of submission) 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden.

Overview of neocoleoid interrelationships and divergence time estimates, showing the position of Syllipsimopodi bideni gen. et sp. nov.

Christopher D. Whalen and Neil H. Landman. 2022. Fossil Coleoid Cephalopod from the Mississippian Bear Gulch Lagerstätte sheds light on early Vampyropod Evolution. Nature Communications. 13: 1107. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28333-5

   twitter.com/NaturePortfolio/status/1501281100051759107

Octopus Ancestors Had 10 Arms, New Study Shows

 amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/research-posts/fossil-octopus-ancestor-arms