''Mastigoteuthis psychrophila'' 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 ...

. It was first described by Kir Nazimovich Nesis in 1977, based on four individuals found in

Antarctic The Antarctic ( or , American English also or ; commonly ) is a polar region around Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica, the Kerguelen Plateau and other ...

waters. The largest was 143 mm long. The squid's

tentacle In zoology, a tentacle is a flexible, mobile, and elongated organ present in some species of animals, most of them invertebrates. In animal anatomy, tentacles usually occur in one or more pairs. Anatomically, the tentacles of animals work main ...

s are 15 mm in diameter, with 0.15 mm diameter club suckers. Integumental photophores are present upon the head, arms and

fin A fin is a thin component or appendage attached to a larger body or structure. Fins typically function as foils that produce lift or thrust, or provide the ability to steer or stabilize motion while traveling in water, air, or other fluids. Fin ...

s. Although uncertain, it is believed to have more than two series of photophores on the arms, differing from other species in the '' M. agassizii'' group. However, this species, like the rest of the family, is badly in need of revision.

References

*Nesis, K.N. 1977. ''Mastigoteuthis psychrophila'' sp. n. (Cephalopoda, Mastigoteuthidae) from the Southern Ocean. ''Zoologichesky Zhurnal'' 65(6): 835-842.
Tree of Life web project: ''Mastigoteuthis psychrophila''
;Specific

External links

Mastigoteuthis Fauna of Antarctica Molluscs described in 1977 {{squid-stub