Helicocranchia pfefferi Massy 1907

Introduction

The large number of undescribed species in the genus makes identification of any specimens difficult. Since the type locality of H. pefferi is in the North Atlantic, the North Pacific form of H. pfefferi described here may be one of these undescribed species.

Characteristics

1. Mantle
   1. Papillae absent.
      
      
2. Arms
   1. Suckers in middle of arms III not enlarged in females.
      
      
3. Pigmentation
   1. Orange/brown chromatophores form bands of sides of mantle.

Comments

Life History

Figure. Ventral and dorsal views of paralarvae of H. pfefferi, Hawaiian waters. A -  3.4 mm ML . B - 4.4 mm ML. Two features distinguish this paralarva from its congener (H. beebei?) in Hawaiian waters. The color pattern has more distinct bars and the eyes show no narrow optic stalk. The scale bar is 1 mm. Drawings by R. Young.

Dsitribution

Vertical distribution

Off California, captures made with open nets indicated an ontogenetic descent and no diel vertical migration. The majority of specimens over 40 mm ML were taken at depths of 400-600 m.

Geographical distribution

The type locality is the temperate North Atlantic, near Ireland (51°54'N, 11°57'W). Due to the large number of undescribed species in this genus, the distribution of H. pfefferi is uncertain.

References

Young, R. E. 1972. The systematics and areal distribution of pelagic cephalopods from the seas off Southern California. Smithson. Contr. Zool., 97: 1-159.

Young, R. E. 1978. Vertical distribution and photosensitive vesicles of pelagic cephalopods from Hawaiian waters. Fish. Bull., 76: 583-615.