| Stauroteuthis | |
|---|---|
| Stauroteuthis syrtensis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Octopoda |
| Suborder: | Cirrina |
| Family: | Stauroteuthidae Grimpe, 1916 |
| Genus: | Stauroteuthis Verrill, 1879 |
| Species | |
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|
| Synonyms | |
|
Chunioteuthis Grimpe, 1916 |
|
Stauroteuthis is a genus of deepwater octopus, a cephalopod mollusk. This is the only genus in the family Stauroteuthidae, and only two species have been described in this genus.
The organisms live below 700 m water depth; although sometimes found as deep as four kilometres underwater, they generally live at a water depth of around 2 km.[1] They do not possess a radula.[1]
The stauroteuthids have the distinction of being one of the few bioluminescent octopuses; some of the muscle cells that control the suckers in most species have been replaced with photophores which are believed to fool prey by directing them towards the mouth.[2]
Stauroteuthis syrtensis is widespread in the North Atlantic.[3] The population size of S. syrtensis is unknown.[4]
Stauroteuthis gilchristi is only known from two localities in the south Atlantic; these two localities may even represent different species.[1][5]