''Mastigoteuthis magna'' is a species of

whip-lash squid The Mastigoteuthidae, also known as whip-lash squid, are a family of small deep-sea squid. Approximately 20 known species in six genera are represented, with members found in both the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zone of most oceans. Originally d ...

, characterised by a lack of

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. The

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different de ...

is heavily

pigment A pigment is a colored material that is completely or nearly insoluble in water. In contrast, dyes are typically soluble, at least at some stage in their use. Generally dyes are often organic compounds whereas pigments are often inorganic compou ...

ed a deep red by a numerous

chromatophore Chromatophores are cells that produce color, of which many types are pigment-containing cells, or groups of cells, found in a wide range of animals including amphibians, fish, reptiles, crustaceans and cephalopods. Mammals and birds, in contrast, ...

s. Image:Mastigoteuthis magna2.jpg, Side view of a club sucker Image:Mastigoteuthis magna3.jpg, Funnel component of the funnel locking apparatus Mastigoteuthis magna.jpg, ''M. magna''

References

*Joubin, L. 1920. ''Céphalopodes provenant des Campagnes de la Princesse Alice (1898-1910)''. 3e Serie. Monaco.

External links

Tree of Life web project: ''Mastigoteuthis magna''
Mastigoteuthis Molluscs described in 1913 {{Squid-stub