Family Histioteuthidae - jewel squids, umbrella squids

  Order
:
  Class
:
Cephalopoda
  No. of Genera in Ref.
:
  No. of Species in Ref.
:
  Environment
:
Fresh : No | Brackish : No | Marine : Yes
  Aquarium
:
  First Fossil Record
:
     
  Remark
:
Weakly-muscled species of moderate size. In general they have comparatively long, thick arms and short mantles with small, rounded fins. Ventral surfaces of mantle, head and arms with anteriorly directed light organs with red colour filters. Suckers on club in 4 or more irregular series. Left eye larger than right eye. Suckers on arms in 2 series. Buccal connectives attach to dorsal borders of ventral arms. A straight or slightly curved and slightly broad, simple, funnel locking cartilage. Colour: red, with very distinctive light organs. Oceanic species. Ranges from epipelagic to bathypelagic and from subarctic to subantarctic. From the surface to 2 700 m. Some species appear to be found most frequently near continental slopes and islands. This family represents an important component of the diet of many oceanic toothed whales (Ref. 104052).
  Etymology
:
  Division
:
  Reproductive guild
:
  Typical activity level
:
  Main Ref.
:
  Coordinator
:

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948]                       
Glossary
                    [ e.g. cephalopods]