Abraliopsis is a marine genus of squid (family Enoploteuthidae) of the phylum Mollusca. Not much is known about Abraliopsis due to the evading ability of pelagic cephalopods.[3] Features that distinguish these species include the absence of arm suckers, size and number of hooks on arms, the presence of photophores, and the formation and position of chromatophores. 11 species that make up the Enoploteuthidae family.

Species

The following species are listed as members of the genus Abraliopsis:[1]

Geographic Distribution

Abraliopsis species usually exist in tropical and subtropical habitats, with a high presence in the coastal regions of California and Mexico, including the Gulf of Mexico. Other species of Abraliopsis are present down the eastern Pacific coast streaming into the regions of Chile, Ecuador and Columbia.[3] Abraliopsis species also are present in coastal Indian/African regions but are poorly studied,[4]

Feeding and Ecological Importance

Illustration of Abraliopsis morrisii, a bioluminescent species of Abraliopsis

Similar to other small marine organisms, Abraliopsis follow the diel vertical migration feeding pattern to feed near the surface at night.[5] This is a common strategy for vulnerable organisms to avoid predators while feeding. Pelagic marine organisms and seabirds prey on Abraliopsis. Abraliopsis was found in the stomach contents of a variety of common marine fish and seabirds.[6] Abraliopsis are also members of the micronekton community near seamounts.[7] Juveniles and paralarvae of some cephalopods may be related to primary production in upwelling areas,[8] which are nutrient dense areas that support the marine ecosystem.

Morphology

Abraliopsis are characterized by the presence of photophores on the ventral surface of the head and protective membranes on left arm IV.[4]

Preserved specimen of Abraliopsis pfefferi.

Abraliopsis pfefferi undergo constant bodily growth with a clear size difference between male and female individuals. Size variation occurs within each sex. Maturation age differ amongst the males and females, with 120-130 days for males and 150-160 days for females. Males have a shorter overall maturation time than females. Mantle length grows at a relatively slow speed of 0.5–0.6% every day.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Julian Finn (2016). "Abraliopsis Joubin, 1896". World Register of Marine Species. Flanders Marine Institute. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  2. ^ "Abraliopsis Joubin, 1896". Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
  3. ^ a b Hendrickx, Michel; Urbano, Brian; Zamorano, Pablo (2015-01-01). "Distribution of pelagic squids Abraliopsis Joubin, 1896 (Enoploteuthidae) and Pterygioteuthis P. Fischer, 1896 (Pyroteuthidae) (Cephalopoda, Decapodiformes, Oegopsida) in the Mexican Pacific". ZooKeys. 537: 51–64. Bibcode:2015ZooK..537...51H. doi:10.3897/zookeys.537.6023. PMC 4714046. PMID 26798236.
  4. ^ a b Tsuchiya, K.; Piatkowski, U.; Okutani, T. (1991-10-01). "Distribution and re-description of Abraliopsis lineata Goodrich, 1896 (Cephalopoda: Enoploteuthidae) from the Arabian Sea". Journal of Natural History. 25 (5): 1121–1133. Bibcode:1991JNatH..25.1121T. doi:10.1080/00222939100770731.
  5. ^ Guerra-Marrero, Airam; Hernández-García, Vicente; Sarmiento-Lezcano, Airam; Jiménez-Alvarado, David; Pino, Angelo Santana-del; Castro, José J (2020-02-07). "Migratory patterns, vertical distributions and diets of Abralia veranyi and Abraliopsis morisii (Cephalopoda: Enoploteuthidae) in the eastern North Atlantic". Journal of Molluscan Studies. 86 (1): 27–34. doi:10.1093/mollus/eyz029.
  6. ^ Fiscus, Clifford H. (1989). Cephalopods from the stomachs of sperm whales taken off California (Report). NOAA technical report NMFS. Vol. 83.
  7. ^ Drazen, Jeffrey C.; De Forest, Lisa G.; Domokos, Reka (2011-05-01). "Micronekton abundance and biomass in Hawaiian waters as influenced by seamounts, eddies, and the moon". Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 58 (5): 557–566. Bibcode:2011DSRI...58..557D. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2011.03.002.
  8. ^ Vidal, Erica A. G.; Haimovici, Manuel; Hackbart, Vivian C. S. (2010-10-01). "Distribution of paralarvae and small juvenile cephalopods in relation to primary production in an upwelling area off southern Brazil". ICES Journal of Marine Science. 67 (7): 1346–1352. doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsq080.
  9. ^ Arkhipkin, A. I. (1996). "Age and growth of the squid Abraliopsis pfefferi (Oegopsida: Enoploteuthidae) from the Central-East Atlantic based on statolith microstructure". Scientia Marina. 60 (2–3): 325–330.


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