''Megalocranchia'' 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
glass squids. It occurs circumglobally in tropical and subtropical waters.
[Voss N. A., S. J. Stephen & Zh. Dong 1992. Family Cranchiidae Prosch, 1849. ''Smithson. Contributions Zool.'' 513: 187-210.]
Description
Some members of the genus ''Megalocranchia'' can reach large sizes, up to 1800mm in the case of ''M. fisheri''. Young paralarvae often resemble other members of the Cranchiidae, having transparent bodies to aid in camouflage. Where the internal organs cannot be made transparent, for example in the digestive system, visceral photophores can be found. These visceral photophores are unique to this genus within the family. The paralarvae also have a thick gelatinous dermis covering the mantle, which again is unique to the ''Megalocranchia'' within the family. This dermis also features patches of orange chromatophores in juvenile individuals.
References
Giant squid found in Cayman head to US museum Cayman News Service, 22 October 2013.
Royal Caribbean helps transport giant squid to museum Royal Caribbean Blog, 23 October 2013.
External links
Tree of Life web project: ''Megalocranchia''
Squid
Bioluminescent molluscs
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