Grimpoteuthis bathynectes: Description Continued

1. Digestive system
   1. Radula absent.
   2. Stomach slightly two-parted.
   3. Esophagus and stomach covered with deep reddish-purple gelatinous tissue.
   4. Caecum with nearly a complete spiral.
   5. Intestine short, straight.
   6. Salivary glands present on buccal mass.
   

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   Figure. Lateral view of the digestive tract of G. bathynectes, male, 53 mm ML. Drawing, modified from Voss and Pearcy (1990).

2. Male reproductive tract
   1. Male genitalia complex has been figured but not described. Identification of structures based on Voss and Pearcy, 1990.
   

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   Figure. Lateral view of the reproductive tract of G. bathynectes, male, 53 mm ML. Drawing, modified from Voss and Pearcy (1990).

3. Female reproductive tract
   1. Distal portion of oviducal gland dark brown, nearly black; proximal portion white.
   2. Distal oviduct broadens distally, bulbous.
   

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   Figure. Lateral view of the reproductive tract of G. bathynectes, female, 85 mm ML. Drawing from Voss and Pearcy (1990).

4. Beaks
   1. Beaks have been illustrated but not described.
   

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   Figure. Lateral view of the beaks of G. bathynectes. Left - Upper beak. Right - Lower beak. Drawings from Voss and Pearcy (1990).

5. Gills
   1. Half-orange shape.
   2. 7-9 primary lamellae.
      
      
6. Eyes
   1. Large.
      
      
7. Color
   1. Mantle and head greyish, tinged with purple-brown.
   2. Posterior edges of fins lined with dark purple or reddish-brown color.
   3. Aboral surfaces of arms and web dark purple or reddish-brown.
   4. Oral surfaces of arms and web deep purplish brown or chocolate often with light brown or flesh-colored suckers.
      
      
8. Measurements
   1. Measurements and counts can be found here.

Comments

References

Voss, G. L. and W. G. Pearcy. 1990. Deep-water octopods (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) of the Northeastern Pacific. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 47: 47-94.