- Source: Abraliopsis morisii
Abraliopsis morisii is a species of bioluminescent squid in the family Enoploteuthidae. The species occurs in tropical to warm temperate waters in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea. It can be found in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. Jean Baptiste Vérany described the species in 1839 and it reaches lengths of 25 to 33 millimetres (0.98 to 1.30 in). It is rated as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Description
Male specimens of A. morisii mature in between 120 and 130 days, and females mature in between 150 and 160 days; although, a mature female has been observed at 127 days and a mature male at 105 days. It occurs in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Its integumental photophores are scattered randomly and it has five ocular photophores. The hectocotylus contains a long flap at the ventral margin and a short flap at the dorsal margin. Mature males can reach a mantle length of 25 to 27 millimetres (0.98 to 1.06 in) and females may reach a mantle length of 32 to 33 millimetres (1.3 to 1.3 in). Females may have between 6,500 and 21,000 oocytes, which are 1.0 to 1.1 millimetres (0.039 to 0.043 in) long.
Distribution
This squid has been observed at depths of between 15 and 3,417.5 metres (49 and 11,212 ft) in temperatures between 2.336 and 22.962 °C (36.205 and 73.332 °F). It has been found in areas with high nitrate, salinity, phosphate, and oxygen levels and also in areas with low silicate concentrations. It occurs over a large area and is classified as a least-concern species by the IUCN.
Taxonomy
Abraliopsis morisii was described by Jean Baptiste Vérany in 1839 as Onychoteuthis morisii. It is also known by the synonyms Abralia jattai, Abralia lonnbergi, Abralia mediterranea, Abralia pfefferi, Abraliopsis pfefferi, Onychoteuthis morisii, and Teleoteuthis caribaea.