Callistoctopus macropus Risso, 1826

Roper, Clyde F. E., Gutierrez, A. & Vecchione, M., 2013, Paralarval octopods of the Florida Current, Journal of Natural History 49 (21 - 24), pp. 1281-1304 : 1289

Callistoctopus macropus Risso, 1826

Callistoctopus macropus ( Figure 5 ) was represented by five individuals, with mantle lengths that range from 1.6 to 2.5 mm. The specimens are characterized by (a) subequal arm lengths with (b) six or seven suckers in two series and (c) three chromatophores in one series proximally, with a pair (2) of chromatophores distally on the ventral arms; (d) the dorsal surface of the mantle with two anterolateral clusters of small chromatophores, and many small, closely packed chromatophores in the posterior region; chromatophores on the ventral surface of the mantle in a two-row transverse band near the anterior margin and in a two-row longitudinal stripe in the mid-region, as well as in a distinct posterior cluster with more than 20 small chromatophores; (e) four small chromatophores located on the anterior lip of the funnel; (f) 14 evenly distributed chromatophores on the dorsal surface of the head, and (g) two large chromatophores on the ventral surface of the head lateral to the funnel opening. The shape of the mantle tends to become more conical in larger specimens.

Figures

Figure 5. Callistoctopus macropus paralarval chromatophore patterns and arm sucker development. (A) Chromatophores on dorsal surface of mantle, head and arm pairs I and II; (B) chromatophores on ventral surface of mantle, funnel, head and arm pairs III and IV; (C) oral view of sucker development on Arms I to IV. (Size range examined 1.6–2.5 mm mantle length.)