''Cirrothauma'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of deep water

octopus An octopus ( : octopuses or octopodes, see below for variants) is a soft-bodied, eight- limbed mollusc of the order Octopoda (, ). The order consists of some 300 species and is grouped within the class Cephalopoda with squids, cuttle ...

es from the cirrate

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Cirroteuthidae Cirroteuthidae is a family of cirrate octopuses comprising three species in two genera. Species *Genus ''Cirroteuthis'' **'' Cirroteuthis muelleri'' *Genus '' Cirrothauma'' **'' Cirrothauma magna'' **''Cirrothauma murrayi ''Cirrothauma murray ...

. The species ''Cirrothauma'' are fragile, gelatinous deep-sea octopods with a shell, a moderate saddle, and triangular wings. Their eyes either have lenses, as seen in the species ''

Cirrothauma murrayi ''Cirrothauma murrayi,'' commonly called the "Blind cirrate octopus," is a nearly blind octopus whose eyes can sense light, but not form images. It has been found worldwide, usually beneath the ocean's surface. Like other cirrates, it has an in ...

'' or they have reduced eyes without lenses, shown in the other extant species '' Cirrothauma magna''. Both species were placed in ''Cirrothauma'' due to the fact that they possess similar shells. These octopuses have been reported to live in all the world's oceans, except for the Southern Ocean.

Species

There are two currently recognised species within the genus ''Cirrothauma'' *'' Cirrothauma magna'' ( Hoyle, 1885) *''

'' Chun, 1911

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q18519178 Octopuses Cephalopod genera