Histioteuthis atlantica (Hoyle 1885)

Introduction

H. atlantica has a circumglobal distribution in southern waters and reaches a size of, at least, 258 mm ML.

Characteristics

1. Photophores
   1. Large, compound photophores with anteriorly and posteriorly (see black arrows in photograph to the right) directed reflectors .
   2. Arms IV with 4 longitudinal series on arm base (dorsal series with organs of mixed sizes).
   3. Terminal third of each arm I-III with row of large, elliptical, darkly pigmented, simple organs.


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Figure. Ventral view of an anterior segment of the ventral mantle of H. atlantica, 57 mm ML, 48°S, 145°E, USNM cat. no. 814656. Black arrows point to the Posterior reflector of large photophores; white arrows point to small photophores. Photograph by R. Young.

Comments

Species of the reversa-group are distinguished by the following characters:

1. Compound photophores
   1. Large and small photophores intermixed on ventral surface of mantle .
   2. 18 photophores (17 large and 1 small) around right eyelid.
2. Beak
   1. Weakly developed median ridge on each lateral wall.
3. Tubercles
   1. Absent.

This species is most easily separated from other members of the reversa group by (1) the arrangement of photophores on arms IV (H. reversa - 4 series, dorsal one with all small organs; H. eltaninae - 3 series), (2) the absence of specialized arm-tip photophores in H. eltaninae and H. reversa.

The posteriorly directed reflectors are also known in H. reversa, but the condition in H. eltaninae is unknown. With the exception of information on the posterior reflectors of the compound photophores, the above information is from Voss (1969).

Life History

Numerous small, darkly pigmented, simple photophores on the posterior region of the mantle only appear at maturity. The number and density of the photophores increases with size of the squid. Mature females are unknown. (Voss, et al., 1998). Lipinski (1993) noted various differences from specimens he had between those taken from western South Atlantic compared to the eastern South Atlantic. In the illustrations below note the presence of dark, simple photophores along the ventral mantle margin in the South African specimen compared to their absence in the specimen from the eastern South Atlantic. The significance of the differences has not been resolved.

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Figure. Ventral and dorsal views of the mantles of mature males of H. atlantica. Left pair - 115 mm ML, 40° 18'S, 39° 12'W. Drawings from Voss, et al., 1998. Right pair - 92 mm ML, off Cape Town, South Africa at 38°S, 18°E. Dotted lines indicate areas without skin. Drawings slightly modified from Lipinski, 1993.

Distribution

Geographical distribution

Histioteuthis atlantica exhibits a circumglobal southern distribution. Its distribution strongly overlaps with the more southern distribution of its close relative H. eltaninae. Histioteuthis atlantica is regularly found over ocean basins, shelf and plateau areas. (Voss, et al., 1998)

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Figure. Chart or the geographical distribution of H. atlantica. Modified from Voss, et al., 1998.

References

Lipinski, M.R. 1993.Description of mature males of the histioteuthid cephalopod Histioteuthis atlantica (Hoyle, 1885) (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida) from the south Atlantic ocean. South African Joural of Marine Science, 13: 51-62.

Voss, N. A. 1969. A monograph of the Cephalopoda of the North Atlantic: The family Histioteuthidae. Bull. Mar. Sci., 19: 713-867.

Voss, N.A., K. N. Nesis, P. G. Rodhouse. 1998. The cephalopod family Histioteuthidae (Oegopsida): Systematics, biology, and biogeography. Smithson. Contr. Zool., 586(2): 293-372.