Opisthoteuthis mero, commonly known as Mero's umbrella octopus,[3] is a species of cirrate octopus from demersal habitats surrounding New Zealand. O. mero is the most documented New Zealand Opisthoteuthis species, with over 100 reference specimens.[4] O. mero reaches a maximum length of 34 cm (13 in), and a mantle length of 9 cm (3.5 in).[5]
| Opisthoteuthis mero | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Octopoda |
| Suborder: | Cirrina |
| Family: | Opisthoteuthidae |
| Genus: | Opisthoteuthis |
| Species: | O. mero
|
| Binomial name | |
| Opisthoteuthis mero O'Shea 1999
| |
Distribution and habitat
editOpisthoteuthis mero is known solely from soft sediments from 360–1,000 m (1,180–3,280 ft) deep, with most specimens recorded at depths of 400–900 m (1,300–3,000 ft).[1][5] The type locality of O. mero is: 36°52'S, 176°19'E, 510 m, on the northern end of New Zealand. This species was originally found in virtually all waters surrounding New Zealand.[4]
Conservation
editO. mero is listed as Endangered by the IUCN due to the effects of commercial deep-water trawling upon population size.[1] Prior to 1998, Opisthoteuthis species were common bycatch species from scampi fisheries in the Bay of Plenty and Auckland Islands. The longevity of Opisthoteuthis species along with their low fecundity and slow growth (primarily within embryonic development which may take 1.4-2.6 years among other species in the genus) have made many species easily susceptible to precipitous population declines, and slow recoveries.[4][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Opisthoteuthis mero". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
- ^ Funnell, Greig; et al. (January 2023). Todd, Amanda (ed.). Conservation status of indigenous marine invertebrates in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021 (PDF) (Report). New Zealand Department of Conservation. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-99-118365-1. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ O'Shea, Steve (March 9, 2019). "Deep-sea finned Octopoda of New Zealand". Octopus News Magazine. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Opisthoteuthis mero". tolweb.org. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
- ^ a b "Opisthoteuthis mero". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-27.