Opisthoteuthis bruuni is a species of finned cirrate octopus found along the western coast of South America. Their tissue is almost jelly-like, and they have short, round bodies.[3][4]
| Opisthoteuthis bruuni | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Octopoda |
| Family: | Opisthoteuthidae |
| Genus: | Opisthoteuthis |
| Species: | O. bruuni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Opisthoteuthis bruuni Voss, 1982[2]
| |
| Synonyms | |
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The species was originally described from 16 young specimens collected off Antofagasta, Chile, at 250 to 360 m depth.[3] They were smaller than other known opisthoteuthids, reaching a maximum of 29 mm (1.1 in) mantle length. Even at this small, immature stage, the octopuses displayed sexual dimorphism (sex differences). The males had some enlarged suckers; three enormous suckers on each arm near the mouth were the most prominent, with a small cluster of enlarged suckers also present near the arm tips.[3] This sort of sexual dimorphism is also found in other opisthoteuthids.[5] Further specimens of O. bruuni have been collected from off Chile and Peru (between 5 and 33 degrees south), over a greater bathymetric range of 250 to 512 m depth. This later research also indicates a larger maximum body size (50 mm mantle length, 206 mm total length).[4]
The species is taken as bycatch in trawl fisheries due to its benthic occurrence, and thus may be threatened, but it is currently a data deficient species in the IUCN Red List of threatened species.[4]
When originally described, the extensively gelatinous body and overall form led to the suggestion that O. bruuni is potentially a mid-water or pelagic species.[3] This would be contrary to other Opisthoteuthis which are benthic.[6] However, later research on O. bruuni seems to suggest a benthic habit as material is routinely collected in bottom trawls.[4]
The species was originally placed in the genus Grimpoteuthis; however, it was placed in Opisthoteuthis after some re-evaluation. The classification of cirrate octopuses is regularly revised as scientists learn more about these deep-sea octopuses. Recent genetic and molecular testing, for example, confirmed O. bruuni as a member of the family Opisthoteuthidae.[7][4]
The octopus was named for Anton Bruun, a Danish ichthyologist.[3]
References
edit- ^ Lyons, G.; Allcock, L. (2014). "Opisthoteuthis bruuni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T163074A969042.en.
- ^ a b "Opisthoteuthis bruuni (Voss, 1982)". World Register of Marine Species. Flanders Marine Institute.
- ^ a b c d e Voss, Gilbert L. (April 1982). "Grimpoteuthis Bruuni, A New Species of Finned Octopod (Octopoda: Cirrata) from the Southeastern Pacific". Bulletin of Marine Science. 32 (2). University of Miami - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science: 426–433.
- ^ a b c d e Pardo-Gandarillas, M. Cecilia; Díaz-Santana-Iturrios, Mariana; Fenwick, Mark; Villanueva, Roger; Ibáñez, Christian M. (March 2021). "Redescription of the Flapjack Octopod, Opisthoteuthis bruuni (Cephalopoda: Opisthoteuthidae), from the Southeastern Pacific Ocean and Evolutionary Relationships of Cirrate Octopods". Malacologia. 63 (2): 155–169. doi:10.4002/040.063.0201. hdl:10261/233941. ISSN 0076-2997. S2CID 232081091.
- ^ Young, Richard E.; Vecchione, Michael (May 2003). "Opisthoteuthis bruuni". Tree of Life Web Project. Tree of Life Project.
- ^ "Opisthoteuthis". tolweb.org. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- ^ Christian Marcelo Ibáñez; Cecilia Pardo-Gandarillas; Roger Villanueva (2018). "The cirrate octopod Opisthoteuthis bruuni (Cephalopoda: Opisthoteuthidae) from SE Pacific and notes about cirrates phylogeny". Cephalopod International Advisory Council Conference. St. Petersburg, Florida, USA: Cephalopod International Advisory Council. hdl:10261/192684.
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