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Family Chiroteuthidae - chiroteuthid squids
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Order
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Class
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Cephalopoda
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No. of Genera in Ref.
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No. of Species in Ref.
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Environment
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Fresh : No |
Brackish : No |
Marine : Yes
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Aquarium
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First Fossil Record
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Remark
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Small to medium in size, gelatinous. Funnel-locking apparatus oval, generally with 1 or 2 knobs (tragus and antitragus) directed toward the centre of the concavity. Neck elongate. Ventral arms generally elongate. Arm suckers in 2 series. Most species have extremely long, slender tentacles. Tentacle suckers usually in 4 series, but absent in Grimalditeuthis. Club very elongate and divided into 2 or 3 portions by symmetrical protective membranes, except in Planctoteuthis. Very distinctive paralarvae, known as the Doratopsis stage, with an elongate neck and brachial pillar. The presence of a Doratopsis paralarva is the only character that is unique to the family. Our knowledge on the biology of these slow moving, deepsea oceanic squids, usually with elongate necks and slender bodies, is poor. Found from the surface to 2 500 m. Numerous chambers in the arms, head and mantle filled with a light-weight fluid, ammonium chloride, which provides near-neutral buoyancy for the squids. Not of interest to fisheries (Ref. 104052).
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Etymology
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Division
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Reproductive guild
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Typical activity level
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Main Ref.
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Coordinator
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