Global InformationOpisthoteuthis agassizii information
| Opisthoteuthis agassizii | |
|---|---|
| |
| Specimen photographed on a NOAA expedition off the southeastern USA, 2019.[1] | |
Conservation status
| |
 Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[2] | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Octopoda |
| Family: | Opisthoteuthidae |
| Genus: | Opisthoteuthis |
| Species: | O. agassizii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Opisthoteuthis agassizii Verrill, 1883[3][4]
| |
Opisthoteuthis agassizii is a lesser-known, deep-sea octopus first described in 1883 by Addison E. Verrill.[5]
Like all cirrate octopuses, O. agassizii has fleshy fins to aid in swimming and a small internal shell. Males are up to four times heavier than females,[6] and their suckers are proportionally larger. Both sexes are small.
This species is found in the north-west, and western Atlantic coasts, over depths of 277 to 1,935 meters (historic records from east Atlantic coasts were likely misidentifications with other Opisthoteuthis).[5][7] Like other opisthoteuthids, they occupy the benthic zone, living on or near the seafloor.[2]
These octopuses most likely prey on polychaete worms and crustaceans that live on or just above the seafloor.[8]
All females of O. agassizii become sexually mature when they reach approximately 190 grams (6.7 ounces) and all males are sexually mature once they reach approximately 95 g (3.4 oz). However, both sexes continue to grow after they reach maturity.
While O. agassizii exists across a wide depth range, heavier octopuses generally live 700 meters or more from the ocean's surface. As age and sexual maturity correlate with weight in this species, this means octopuses at a greater depth are more likely to be sexually mature.[6]
- ^ "Dive 12: "Berg Bits"". Ocean Exploration and Research. NOAA. November 19, 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b Lyons, G.; Allcock, L. (2014). "Opisthoteuthis agassizii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T163377A1003617. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T163377A1003617.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Species details". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Opisthoteuthis agassizii". Ocean Biogeographic Information System. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- ^ a b Vecchione, Michael; Villanueva, Roger; Richard, Young E. "Opisthoteuthis agassizii". Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b Villanueva, Roger (May 19, 1992). "Continuous spawning in the cirrate octopods Opisthoteuthis agassizii and O. vossi: features of sexual maturation defining a reproductive strategy in cephalopods". Marine Biology. 114 (2). Barcelona, Spain: 265–275. doi:10.1007/BF00349529. S2CID 85085295.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:3was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Villanueva, Roger; Guerra, Angel (September 1991). "Food and Prey Detection in Two Deep-Sea Cephalopods: Opisthoteuthis Agassizi and O. Vossi (Octopoda: Cirrata)". Bulletin of Marine Science. 49. University of Miami - Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science: 288–299.