Comb-finned Squid

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Comb-finned Squid

Chtenopteryx sicula caught off Naples.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Subclass:	Coleoidea
Order:	Teuthida
Suborder:	Oegopsina
Family:	Chtenopterygidae
Genus:	Chtenopteryx
Species:	C. sicula

Binomial name

Chtenopteryx sicula
(Vérany, 1851)

The Comb-finned Squid or Toothed-fin Squid (Chtenopteryx sicula) is a species of squid native to at least the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterised by several distinct morphological features: ocular photophores are present but visceral photophores are absent, arm suckers are arranged in at least 4 series distally, and club suckers are borne in more than 8 series.

The type specimen was collected off Messina, Italy. It is deposited at the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle (Musée Barla) in Nice.^[1]

Chtenopteryx sicula paralarvae. Left: Two very young paralarvae. The circular tentacular clubs bear approximately 20 irregularly arranged suckers. Two chromatophores are present on each side of the mantle. Centre: Ventral, dorsal and side views of a more advanced paralarva. An equatorial circulet of seven large yellow-brown chromatophores is present on the mantle. Posteriorly the expanded vanes of the gladius are visible in the dorsal view. Right: Ventral and dorsal views of a very advanced paralarva.