Bathyteuthis is the singular genus of squid in the family Bathyteuthidae, encompassing six species.

Bathyteuthis species are found scattered throughout the world's oceans at mesopelagic to bathypelagic depths, commonly between . They are found in deep-sea territories and can be spotted on the coast of New England.

The genus contains bioluminescent species.

Description

Bathyteuthis are deep reddish maroon in colour and small in size, with none exceeding 80 mm in mantle length. Females have paired oviducts.

Taxonomy

thumb|Eye of Bathyteuthis sp.

Bathyteuthis shares some characters with oegopsid squid and others with the Myopsida, hence its placement in a separate suborder, the Bathyteuthoidea, by some authorities. The paired oviducts (in females) and suckers without circularis muscles are characteristic of ordinary Oegopsida. However, buccal connective tissue with suckers and tentacle pockets in the head are characters found in myopsid squid, but absent in the Oegopsida.

Species

Six species of Bathyteuthis are currently recognized.

  • Bathyteuthis abyssicola <small>Hoyle, 1885</small>
  • Bathyteuthis bacidifera <small>Roper, 1968</small>
  • Bathyteuthis berryi <small>Roper, 1968</small>
  • Bathyteuthis devoleii <small>Judkins, Lindgren, Villanueva, Clark & Vecchione, 2020</small>
  • Bathyteuthis inopinata <small>Judkins, Lindgren, Villanueva, Clark & Vecchione, 2020</small>
  • Bathyteuthis numerosa <small>Judkins, Lindgren, Villanueva, Clark & Vecchione, 2020</small>

References

  • [ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/ac479e/AC479E26.pdf FAO Bathyteuthidae]