Opisthoteuthis chathamensis

Opisthoteuthis chathamensis is a species of cirrate octopus restricted to demersal habitats surrounding the Chatham Rise in New Zealand. It is commonly known as the roughy umbrella octopus.[1]

Opisthoteuthis chathamensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Opisthoteuthidae
Genus: Opisthoteuthis
Species:
O. chathamensis
Binomial name
Opisthoteuthis chathamensis
O'Shea 1999

Distribution, description & threats
Chatham Rise, the type locality of O. chathamensis

Specimens have been recorded solely on soft sediments from 900-1438 meters deep.[2][3] The type locality of O. chathamensis is near the Chatham Islands at 44°44'S, 77°15'W, 1180 m. The species is known only from this area of the Chatham Rise and off the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand.[4] O. chathamensis reaches a maximum length of 18 cm TL, and a mantle length of 5.4 cm.[3] They are described as having subequal arms with around 41-45 suckers in males and 45-55 suckers in females.[4] Their oral surface and the webbing between their tentacles is maroon and the suckers are a pale cream.[5] O. chathamensis is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to a 70% decrease in population size in recent years, and has not been seen since 1999, when it was a common bycatch species. In addition, their longevity, low fecundity and slow growth (especially embryonic development which lasts 1.4-2.6 years among other species in the genus) has made them particularly susceptible to population declines and slow recoveries.[2][6]

References
  1. Freeman, DJ; Marshall, BA; Ahyong, ST; Wing, SR; Hitchmough, RA (2009). "Conservation status of New Zealand marine invertebrates". New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 44 (3): 129–148. doi:10.1080/00288330.2010.495373. ...the roughy umbrella octopus Opisthoteuthis chathamensis...
  2. Lyons, G; Allcock, L (2020). "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T163144A184253216. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T163144A184253216.en. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  3. "Opisthoteuthis chathamensis". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  4. "Opisthoteuthis chathamensis". Tree of Life Web Project. 2011. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  5. Steve O'Shea; Michael Vecchione; Richard E. Young (2003). "Opisthoteuthis chathamensis: Description Continued". Tree of Life Web Project.
  6. Collins, Martin; Villanueva, Roger (2006-06-13), "Taxonomy, Ecology And Behaviour Of The Cirrate Octopods", Oceanography and Marine Biology, CRC Press, pp. 277–322, doi:10.1201/9781420006391.ch6, ISBN 9780849370441
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