Vitreledonella richardi Joubin, 1918
Glass octopod
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Family:  Vitreledonellidae (glass octopods)
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1000 m
Distribution:  Worldwide except polar waters.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found in mesobathypelagic waters of tropical and subtropical regions (Ref. 115077). Depth range from near the surface to at least 1,000 m, typically over deep water (beyond the continental shelf) (Ref. 96968). Thought to be found mostly near islands and sea mounts (Ref. 115077). Video sequences from submersibles suggest that the male envelops the female within his webs during mating. Females are thought to brood their eggs within their arm crown (Ref. 96968). Faint and less developed beak could be a sign of soft-bodied prey diet of early stages (Ref. 115077).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 20 August 2014 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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