New Genus New Species A

Introduction

The single mature male was taken from the stomach of the fish Alepisaurus ferox. Nevertheless, the small squid (9.5 mm ML) was in good condition but with some damage to the eye lenses and the viscera.

Brief diagnosis:

A member of New Subfamily with ...

• Numerous (ca. 10-15) series of tiny suckers distally on arms I-III; two series of normal suckers throughout each arm IV.
• Transition from double to numerous sucker series abrupt.
  

Characteristics

1. Arms
   1. Arms IV with two sucker series throughout arm.
   2. Arms I-III with biserial suckers on proximally (ca. 8 suckers), multiple series (ca. 10-15) of tiny suckers on long stalks on distal three fourths.
      
   3. Transition abrupt with 2-3 suckers of intermediate size between proximal large and suceeding small (ca. 1/5 diameter) suckers.
   4. Most proximal arm sucker not distinctly larger than following sucker.
   

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   Figure. Dorsal view of the brachial crown of New Species A showing the simple arrangement of suckers on arms IV and the complex distal sucker seriation on arms I-III,. Photograph by R. Young.

2. Mantle
   1. Fusion between mantle and head in nuchal region very narrow.
   

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   Figure. Dorsal views of the nuchal fusion in New Species A. Left - Right mantle wall pinned back to emphasize the fusion. Right - Fusion region stained with methylene blue to make it more visible. Photographs by R. Young.

3. Viscera
   1. Anus located well posteriorly in mantle cavity, well posterior to ventral wall of funnel.
      
   

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   Figure. Ventral view of the mantle cavity of New Species A. 1, 2 - Right and left mantle components of the funnel/mantle locking-apparatus. 3 - Anus, 4 - Penis, 5 - Ventral mantle adductor muscle. Photograph by R. Young.

Comments

More details of the description of New Species A can be found here.

Species boundaries cannot be reliably drawn with so few specimens. However, in addition to the characters listed above, species A seems to differ from species B in its much smaller size, differences in chromatophore distribution (e. g., nuchal fusion, ventral head, fins), the more posterior position of the fins and, possibly, differences in the funnel valve.

Distribution

New Species A was taken from the stomach of Alepisaurus ferox captured within the EEZ of New Caledonia on Jan. 27,  2004 at 22°29'S , 166°15'W  (Sample: Palinstru03/10/2).