Notonykia africanae: Description Continued

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Figure. Dorsal view of N. africanae, preserved, 69 mm ML, 40?S, 07?W, USNM specimen (WH 402-II-71). Photograph by R. Young.

1. Arms
1. Arms subequal with arms I slightly shorter.
2. Length arms I: 27-45% of ML (ave. 35%)
3. Length arms II-IV: 33-55% of ML (ave. 42-44%).
4. About 50-60 pairs of suckers per arm.
5. Sucker rings smooth.
6. Low protective membranes.
   
   
2. Tentacles
1. 20-38 small suckers on club tip.
2. 14-20 hooks on club (ave. 16.8).
3. Carpal pad with 6-12 suckers (ave. 9.7)
4. Marginal suckers absent.
5. Stalk triangular in cross-section.


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Figure. Oral views of tentacular clubs of N. africanae. Top - Paratype, 73 mm ML. Drawing from Nesis, et al. (1998). Bottom - 40 mm ML, USNM specimen (WH 380-III-71). Photograph by R. Young.

Scanning electron micrographs of the hooks can be seen here.

3. Head
1. Beaks
   1. Upper beak with slightly recessed jaw angle.
   2. Lower beak with distinct fold on lateral wall ending one third down posterior edge of lateral wall.
   3. Lower beak with broad, blunt angle point. [The drawing on the right shows a pointed angle point.]
   4. Lower beak hood lies close to crest.
   

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   Figure. Side view of upper beak (left) and side and oblique views of lower beak of N. africanae, paratype, 100 mm ML. Drawing from Nesis, et al. (1998).

2. Radula
1. Rachidian tooth with additional cusp on either side of median cone.
2. First lateral tooth bicuspid.


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Figure. Three rows of radular teeth of N. africanae, paratype, 100 mm ML. Drawing modified from Nesis, et al. (1998).

4. Funnel
1. Funnel groove with triangular anterior outline.
2. Funnel groove without fleshy ridge.


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Figure. Ventral view of the head and funnel groove of N. africanae, 69 mm ML. Photograph by R. Young.

5. Fins
1. rhomboidal.
2. Length 52-66% of ML.
3. Width 66-84% of ML.
4. Apical angle approximately 90¡.


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Figure. Dorsal view of fins and mantle of N. africanae, paratype, 73 mm ML. Drawing modified from Nesis, et al. (1998).

6. Gladius
1. Narrow vanes present.
2. Maximum width about 6% of GL.
3. Rostrum short, thin, pointed (far right).


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Figure. Gladius of N. africanae, paratype, 122 mm ML. Left - Ventral view of entire gladius. Right - Side view of gladius rostrum. Drawings modified from Nesis, et al. (1998).

Comments

Except for the photographs, this description is from Nesis, et al. (1998).

References

Nesis, K. N., M. A. C. Roeleveld and I. V. Nikitina. 1998. A new genus and species of onychoteuthid squid from the Southern Ocean. Ruthenica 8:153-168.