''Lycoteuthis'' 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 ...

containing two species of

squid True squid are molluscs with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight arms, and two tentacles in the superorder Decapodiformes, though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also called squid despite not strictly fitting t ...

: '' Lycoteuthis springeri'' and '' Lycoteuthis lorigera''. They are small animals which grow up to 8 cm in length. These squid live in the deep sea at depths of up to 3000 metres, making horizontal migrations within their range along the steep shelves. ''Lycoteuthis'' are particularly characterised by their

photophore A photophore is a glandular organ that appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors, ...

s, shining organs which give them their German name "Miracle Lamps". The photophores are located in various parts of the body, with males having them on their mantle and head. The light of these photophores results from

bioluminescence Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms. It is a form of chemiluminescence. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms including some b ...

. The photophores serve as

camouflage Camouflage is the use of any combination of materials, coloration, or illumination for concealment, either by making animals or objects hard to see, or by disguising them as something else. Examples include the leopard's spotted coat, the ...

, since the body appears almost transparent by the light effects and normally visible structures, such as the eyes, lose their sharp outline.

References

External links

Tree of Life web project: ''Lycoteuthis''
Squid Cephalopod genera {{squid-stub