Lycoteuthis

Lycoteuthis is a genus containing two species of squid: Lycoteuthis springeri and Lycoteuthis lorigera. They are small animals which grow up to 8 cm in length.

Lycoteuthis
Lycoteuthis lorigera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Oegopsida
Family: Lycoteuthidae
Subfamily: Lycoteuthinae
Genus: Lycoteuthis
Pfeffer, 1900[1]
Type species
Lycoteuthis jattai
Pfeffer, 1900
Species

Lycoteuthis lorigera (Steenstrup, 1875)
Lycoteuthis springeri (Voss, 1956)

Synonyms[1]
  • Asthenoteuthion Pfeffer, 1912
  • Leptodontoteuthis Robson, 1926
  • Oregoniateuthis Voss, 1956
  • Thaumatolampas Chun, 1903

These squid live in the deep sea at depths of up to 3000 metres, making horizontal migrations within their range along the steep shelves.

Lycoteuthis are particularly characterised by their photophores, shining organs which give them their German name "Miracle Lamps". The photophores are located in various parts of the body, with males having them on their mantle and head. The light of these photophores results from bioluminescence. The photophores serve as camouflage, since the body appears almost transparent by the light effects and normally visible structures, such as the eyes, lose their sharp outline.

References
  1. Julian Finn (2016). "Lycoteuthis Pfeffer, 1908". World Register of Marine Species. Flanders Marine Institute. Retrieved 7 March 2018.


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