Under Construction

Pyroteuthis serrata Riddell, 1985

Richard E. Young and Katharina M. Mangold (1922-2003)
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Containing group: Pyroteuthis

Introduction

This species is most easily separated from other members of the genus by the arrangement of photophores on the tentacles and the structure of the hectocotylus.

Characteristics

  1. Tentacle photophores
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      Figure. Schematic illustration of the tentacle of P. serrata showing photophores. Drawing by R. Young.

    1. Four large, ellipsoidal photophores [all double (?) photophores].
      1. Most distal member well proximal to base of carpal cluster (i.e., distance between this photophore and distal, spherical photophore much greater than distance between distal two ellipsoidal photophores).
    2. Two smaller, spherical photophores, one at base of tentacular stalk and one at base of club.
    3. Spherical to ovoid superficial photophore absent.
  2. Hectocotylus (right arm IV) with:
    1. 10-12 proximal hooks.
    2. Each proximal hook with primary cusp bearing irregular serrated inner edge and secondary cusp as long as primary and sharply pointed.
    3. Elongate flap distal to proximal hooks.
    4. 8-12 hooks opposite flap.
    5. 7-20 suckers at tip.
    6. Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
      Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

      Figure. Oral view of the hectocotylus of P. serrata.  Drawing from Riddell, 1985.

Comments

Compare the following structures with other species of Pyroteuthis:

Distribution

P. serrata is known only from the vicinity of New Zealand north of the Tropical Convergence (Riddell, 1985). At this locality there is virtually no overlap with the more southernly P. margaritifera.

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Figure. Geographical distribution chart of species Pyroteuthis in the region of New Zealand. Yellow circles represent P. margaritifera and white triangles P. serrata. Chart modified from Riddell (1985)

References

Riddell, D. J. 1985. Enoploteuthidae of the New Zealand Region. Fisheries Research Bulletin. New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, No.27: 1-52.

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Pyroteuthis serrata
Reference Riddell, D. J. 1985. Enoploteuthidae of the New Zealand Region. Fisheries Research Bulletin. New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, No.27:1-52.
Sex Male
Size 29.7 mm ML
About This Page


University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA

Katharina M. Mangold (1922-2003)
Laboratoire Arago, Banyuls-Sur-Mer, France

Page: Tree of Life Pyroteuthis serrata Riddell, 1985. Authored by Richard E. Young and Katharina M. Mangold (1922-2003). The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. Click on an image or a media link to access the media data window, which provides the relevant licensing information. For the general terms and conditions of ToL material reuse and redistribution, please see the Tree of Life Copyright Policies.

Citing this page:

Young, Richard E. and Katharina M. Mangold (1922-2003). 1996. Pyroteuthis serrata Riddell, 1985. Version 01 January 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Pyroteuthis_serrata/19759/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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