3D FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FOR FISHERY PURPOSES WESTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC (Fishing Area 31) edited by W. Fischer Marine Resources Service Fishery Resources and Environment Division FAO Fisheries Department This publication has been prepared and printed with the support of the UNDP/FAO International Project for the Development of Fisheries in the Western Central Atlantic VOLUME VI CONTENTS: Lobsters Shrimps and Prawns True Crabs Stomatopods Bivalves Gastropods Chitons * Cephalopoda + Sea Turtles FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 1978 Bibliographic Reference: Roper, C.F.E. In: Fi.ch?, w. CEO cms) Rome, FAO, pag.var. FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Central Atlantic (fishing area 31>. Vols. 1-7 Identification sheets. Taxonomy. Geographic distribution. Fisheries. Vernacular names. Bony fishes. Sharks. Batoid fishes. Lobsters. Shrimps. True crabs. S tomato pods. Molluscs. Sea turtles. ASH. FAO Sheets hectocotylus (or modified ?< portion) normal sucker: Fishing Area 3 I lamellae TECHNICAL TERMS I suckers buccal membrane funnel groove oegopsid eye funne I funnel-mantle fusion funnel locking cartilage mantle locking cartilage fin (posteriorly concave) loss example of hectocotylized arm in male (Illex ittecebrosue) arm I (dorsal) 1 dactylus buccal lappet beak jaws ~T"Y V t _ fin (posteriorly convex) __cail t? fin length mantle length J a composite diagram illustrating basic squid (teuthoid) features ventral view buccal suckers buccal connective (ventrally attached) buccal connective (dorsally attached arm IV (ventral) diagram of oral surface of brachial crown and buccal membrane -^-shaped J_-shaped subtriangular oval with inward simple, projecting knobs straight basic types of funnel locking cartilage (cartilaginous grooves that lock with corresponding ridges on inner mantle wall to keep base of funnel in position during water expulsion) FAO Sheets mantle Length - 2 - CEFHALOPOOS Fishing Area 31 lame 1Lae (internal) / funnel aperture suckers V" total length A. diagram of basic octopus features (lateral view) diagram of he c to co t y 1 us showing ligula measurement gladius of squid upper and lower jaws (beak AAib' sucker of squid sucker of octopus - 3 - FAO Sheets CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 GENERAL REMARKS The group kni^wn as cephalopoda consists of bilaterally symmet rical molluscs with a we 11 developed head that contains a circumoral (surrounding the mouth) crown of mobile arms chac bear suckers and/or hooks. The mouth has chitinous beak-like jaws and a chitinous tongue-like radula (band of teeth). The shell is reduced, modified, or absent and is enclosed by the mantle; an external shell occurs only in the primitive form Nautilus (restricted to Indo-Pacific). Cephalopods are soft-bodied animals with their primary skeletal features a cranium and, in most forms, a mantle support (cuttle- bone cr gladius). One pair of ctenidia (gills) is present (two pairs in Nautilus only). The central nervous system is highly developed, especially the well-organized eyes. A funnel or siphon (tube) expel Is water trom the mantle(body)cavity providing propulsion and expelling waste products. Colora- tion is varialbe depending on group and habitat; most forms are provided with numerous chromatophores (pigment sacs) and iridocytes (shiny, reflective platelets) in the skin, so rapid changes in colour and colour patterns are an integral part of their behaviour. The size of adults ranges from about 2 cm to over 20 m in total length; largest specimens may weigh over I ton. Locomotion is achieved by drawing water into the mantle cavity followed by its jet-like expulsion through the funnel, and also by crawling along the bottom on the arms (mostly sepioids and octopods). Fins on the mantle provide balance, steering, and minor locomotion. The sexes are separate, eggs are heavily yolked, and development is direct, without metamorphic stages. The total number of living species of cephalopods is fewer than 1 000; about 110 species in 31 families occur in the Western Central Atlantic. Cephalopods occur in all marine habitats of the world: benthic on coral reefs, grass flats, sand, mud and rocks; pelagic and epipelagic in bays,seas, and the open ocean. The range of depths extends from 0 to over 5 000 m. Abundance of cephalopods varies (depending on group, habitat, and season) from isolated territorial individuals (primarily benthic octopods) through small schools with a few dozen individuals to huge schools of oceanic species with millions of specimens. Two groups of cephalopods, squids and octopuses, occur in the Western Central Atlantic waters and they are easily distinguished by external characteristics. The squids have an elongate, torpedo-like body with lateral fins, and 8 circumoral arms, not connected at bases with a web, with 2 rows of stalked suckers bearing chitinous rings (or hooks) running the entire Length, plus 2 longer tentacles with an organized cluster (tentacular club) of 2 or more rows of suckers (or hooks) at the distal end. The octopuses have a short, sac-like body with no lateral fins (some deep-sea forms excepted), and 3 circumoral arms only (no tentacles) with bases connected by a membraneous web and unstalked suckers, without chitinous rings, along the length of the arms. All cephalopods are dioecious (separate sexes) and many, though not all, .exhibit external sexual dimorphism, either in structural or size differences. Females generally are larger than males. Males of many forms possess 1 or 2 modified arms (hectocotylus) for mating. The hectocotylus may consist of modified suckers, papillae, membranes, ridges and grooves, flaps, etc., but in any case it functions to transfer the sperm packets or spermatophores from the male's mantle cavity to a locus of implanta- tion on the female, which may occur inside the mantle cavity, around the mantle opening on the neck, in a pocket under the eye, around the mouth, etc. Fertilization takes place in the female as the eggs are laid. Eggs of squids generally are encased in a gelatinous matrix secreted by the nidamental glands and are laid as multi-finger-like masses (sometimes called "sea mops") attached to rocks, shells or other hard substrate on the bottom in shallow waters (inshore squids), or they are extruted as large, singular, sausage-shaped masses that drift in the open sea (oceanic squids). The fingers each may contain from a few to several hundred eggs, while the sausages contain tens or even hundreds of thousands of eggs. The mode of reproduction and egg-laying is unknown for many forms, especially oceanic and deep sea species. Benthic octopuses lay their eggs in great, grape-like clusters and strands in lairs, under rocks and in abandoned mollusc shells, where they brood them until they hatch. The eggs are attached to each other, but they are not encased in a gelatinous matrix. The female of the pelagic octopus Argonauta. constructs a thin, shelI-like egg case in which she resides and lays festoons of eggs, fertilization having taken place from sperm contained in the highly modified hecto- cotylus that was autotomized (detached) from the male and deposited in the egg case. The life expec- tancy is about one to two years in most forms, but larger species of squids and octopus, for example, the giant squid (Architeuthis spp.) and the giant octopus (0. dofleini), must live for several years. Many species die after spawning, but this phenomenon apparently is not universal. - 4 - FAO Sheets CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 Cephalopoda are active predators that prey upon shrimps, crabs, fishes, other cephalopods, and, in the case of octopuses, on bivalved molluscs. In turn, cephalopods are major food items in the diets of toothed whales, seals, pelagic birds (penguins, petrels, albatrosses, etc.), and both benthic and pelagic fishes (e.g., sea basses, lanc^etf ishes, tunas, bill fishes) . Many species of oceanic cephalopods undergo diel vertical migrations, wherein they occur at depths of about 400 to 800 m during the day, then ascend into the uppermost 200 m or so during the night. While shallow-living cephalopods are able to conceal themselves by chromatophore-produced colour patterns and chameleon-like colour changes, many deep-sea forms camouflage themselves by producing bioluminescent light from photophores (light-producing organs) which eliminates their silhouettes against the downwelling light in the dimly-lit mid-depths. Cephalopod eggs are very yolky and cleavage is thus incomplete, so that typical molluscan spiral cleavage is absent. Development is direct and young hatch as miniatures of the adult (to a greater or lesser extent depending on the species). Thus, no discrete larval stages or metamorphoses occur. Cephalopod eggs may vary in size from about 1.7 cm long in some Octopus species to 0.8 mm long in Avgonauta, both octopods. Time of embryonic development also varies widely, from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species and temperature conditions. Hatching may occur rapidly from a single clutch or be extended over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. At hatching, young animals often inhabit different habitats than the adults. For example, the young of some species of benthic octopuses spend periods of time as planktonic organisms before settling to their bottom habitat, and the "larvae" of many deep-sea forms occur in the upper 100 m of the open ocean, then exhibit an ontogenetic descent, gradually occurring at deeper depths with increasing size. Cephalopods are extremely important as food for human consumption, and well over I million metrie tons are caught each year. The fisheries are especially intense in Japan, the Orient and in the Medi- terranean/Eastern Atlantic waters. Cephalopods are also important experimental animals in biomedical research with direct application to man. Because of the highly developed brain and sensory organs, cephalopods have a great capacity to learn and remember, rendering them valuable in behavioural and comparative neuroanatomical studies. In addition, cephalopods possess the largest single nerve axons in the animal kingdom, located in the mantle, and these are used extensively in all aspects of neuro- physiological research. Fishing techniques include small traps (octopods), wiers, lures and jijjs (some cuttlefishes and squids), lampara nets (nearshore squids), and midwater and otter trawls (squids and octopods). Certain species of squids are attracted to light, then j igged or seined. Occasionally cuttlefishes and octopods are caught in hand-nets or are speared, but it is nearly impossible to capture free- swimming squid in this manner. Caution: the bites of cephalopods, especially octopuses, can be pain- ful at the least, poisonous or secondarily infected, or, rarely, lethal (several human deaths have been recorded in Australia due to blue-ringed octopus, Hapalochlaena). So cephalopods must be handled carefully. The total commercial catch of cephalopods in the Western Central Atlantic is estimated at around 3 000 tons, but the potential for major fisheries for several species is high. The future should bring the development of greater fishery efforts in this area. The status of the systematics of cephalopods is rapidly changing, as research has increased significantly in the past 25 years. A number of monographic studies on several large, important families currently are being conducted, so greater stability should be achieved soon. FAO Sheets - 5 - CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 KEY WITH PICTURE GUIDE TO FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA* I a. Animal with 10 circumorat appendages (arms and tentacles); stalked suckers with chitinous, usually toothed, rings 2 a. Internal shell coiled and chambered or rudimentary and straight (Sepioidea) => i 3 a. Shell calcified, coiled 3 b. Shell chitinous or rudimentary Spiral idae%L/^> (Fig. I) Sepiolidae (Fig. 2) f 2 b. Internal shell pen-shaped or feather- shaped (Teuthoidea) 4 a. Eye covered by a transparent membrane (cornea) (Fig. 3a) (Myopsida) 5 a. Four rows of suckers on manus of tentacular club (Fig. 4b); medial posterior border of fins concave (i.e., curves posteriorly toward midline) (Fig. 4a) Loliginidae 5 b. Two rows of suckers on manus of tentacular club (Fig, 5b); medial posterior border of fins convex (i.e., curves anteriorly toward midline) (Fig. 5a) Pickfordiateuthidae 4 b. Eye without cornea and in open con- tact with seawater (Fig. 3b)(Oegopsida) A {Spirilla} Spirulidae FiR. I Sepiolidae Xw%, a. ventral view b. tentacular club Loliginidae (Loligo) Illustrations show typical genera of families a. dorsal view b. tentacular club Pickfordiateuthidae (Vickfordiateuthis) Fig. 5 FAO Sheets - 6 - CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 6 a. Funnel free from mantle; a funnel- mantle locking apparatus present 7 a. Funnel-mantle Locking apparatus a simple, straight groove and ridge* (Fig. 6) S a. Arms with hooks or with suckers in 4 rows on the proximal (nearest head) half of the ventral arms 9 a. Tentacles present; fully developed clubs present (Fig. 7) Enoploceuthidae 9 b. Tentacles and clubs absent in adults although present in larvae or occasionally juve- niles (Taningia) but always with rudimentary clubs (Fig. 8) Octopoteuthidae 3 b. Arms without hooks and with suckers in two rows on the proximal half of the ventral 10 a. Buccal membrane connectives attach to the ventral sides of arms IV (Fig. 9) funnel-mant Le locking apparatus V?J Fig. 6 Abraliopsia Abraliopsis Pyroteuthis ventral view tentacular club ventral view Enoploteuthidae arm I (dorsal) arm II Fi%- ? buccal connective (dorsally attached) / buccal suckers buccal connective (ventrally attached) Fi fii arm IV (ventral) Fig. 9 ventral view Octopoteuthidae (Octopoteuthia) The classification "simple and straight" includes some locking apparatuses that show considerable variation. For example, in the Octopoteuthidae and the Histioteuthidae the central groove is fairly broad and may curve slightly. The homogeneity of this classification becomes apparent when this type of locking-cartilage is contrasted with the highly specialized type? illustrated on pages I and 2 FAO Sheets CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 1! a. Hooks present on tentacular clubs (Fig. 10b) (tentacles and clubs un- known in Chaunoteuthia) Onychoteuthidae 11 b. Hooks lacking on tentacular clubs 12 a. Cartilaginous scales present on mantle (may be minute) (Fig. 11); tentacular clubs with four lon- gitudinal rows of suckers Lepidoteuthidae (Fig. 12) 12 b. Cartilaginous scales lacking; tentacular clubs with more than four longitudinal rows of suckers on some areas 13 a. Fins nearly as long as the mantle, supported by strong, transverse, muscular ribs (Fig. 13); minute suckers present on oral surface of buccal lappets (Fig. 9) Ctenopterygidae 13 b. Fins less than half the body length and without supporting ribs' (Fig. 14a); no suckers on buccal lappets; numerous rows of suckers on proximal part of tentacular club (Fig. 14b) Brachioteuthidae Vt' ^w A a. ventral view b. tentacular club Onychoteuthidae (OnychoteutlvCs) Fig. 10 J% . % v&\-v !? /- -?? U?J.- .??? cattilaginoua scales on mantle ria, II dorsal view Lepidoteuthidae iPho lidotau this > Fig. 12 ventral view Ctenopterygidae (Ctenopteryx) Fin. 13 ventral view b. tentacular club Brachioteuthidae IBraehzoteuthis) Fig- '4 FAQ Sheets 10 b. Buccal membrane connectives attach to the dorsal sides of arms IV* (Fig. 9) CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 14 a. Ventral surface of eye with a row of photophores (Fig. 15a); buccal membrane with eight separate lappets Lycoteuthidae 14 b. No photophores on eyes; buccal membrane with seven lappets or less photophores 15 a. Surface of mantle, head and arms covered with numerous photophores, usually large and distinct (Fig. 16a) .. Histioteuthidae 15 b. Surface of mantle and head without photophores (arms may have a few photophores) 16 a. Minute suckers present on oral surface of buccal lappets (Fig. 17c) Bathyteuthidae 16 b. No suckers on oral surface of buccal lappets a. ventral view b. tentacular club Lycoteuthidae (Lycoteuthis) Fi?l_l5 dorsal view tentacular club oral view of arras and buccal membrane Bathyteuthidae (Bathyteuthis) Fig. 17 ventral view tentacular club Histioteuthidae (Hiatioteuthie) Fig. 16 This character is difficult to detect in some histioteuthids because of the development of secondary connectives FAO Sheets - 9 - CEPHALOPODS 17 a. Medial posterior borders of fins slightly convex (Fig. 18a); carpal knobs in a single dorsal row or absent (Fig. I&b); small 17 b. Medial posterior borders of fins concave (Fig. 19a); carpal knobs in a cluster alternating with carpal suckers (Fig. 19b); attains gigantic size 7 b. Funnel-mantle locking apparatus not a simple, straight groove and ridge ? (Fig. 20 a to e) 18 a. .Funnel locking-cartilage with a longitudinal and a trans- verse groove,-L -shaped or Hshaped (Fig. 20 a and b) 19 a. Funne1 locking-cartilage with a longitudinal groove crossed by a transverse groove at its posterior end, _1_ -shaped (Fig. 20b); fins less than 60 percent of mantle length (Fig. 21) ventral view b. tentacular club it \ Ommastrephidae (0nmastrephe3) j. \| Fig. 21 .. Meoteuthidae Architeuthidae & :j a. dorsal view b. tentacular club Neoteuthidae (Neoteuthis) Fig. 18 Ommastrephidae a. dorsal view b. tentacular club Architeuthidae (Architeuthis) Fig. 19 a b c d e Fig. 20 types of funnel-locking-cartilages FAO Sheets -10- CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 19 b. Funnel locking-cartilage with a longi- tudinal groove from which a shorter groove branches medially, -I -shaped (Fig. 20a); fins more than 80 percent * of mantle length (Fig. 22) Thysanoteuthidae 18 b. Funnel locking-cartilage oval, triangular or oval with inward projecting knobs (Fig. 20 c, d and e) 20 a. Funnel locking-cartilage oval with one or two knobs directed toward the centre of the concavity (Fig. 20c) 21 a. Club.with only four rows of suckers (Fig. 23b) Chiroceuthidae 2! b. Club with many (more than 15) rows of minute suckers (Fig, 24) Mastigoteuthidae 20 b. Funnel locking-cartilage oval or subtriangular, without knobs (Fig. 20d and e) Fig. 22 dorsal view Thysanoteuthidae (Thyaanoteuthis) uckers minute, in more than ventral view Mastigoteuthidae (Mastigoteuthis) a b ventral view tentacular club Chiroteuthidae (Chiroteuthia! Fig. 23 -II- FAO Sheets CEPHALOPODS 22 a. Suckers on arms in 4 to 6 rows; tail extremely long, greater than the mantle Length (Fig. 25) Joubiniteuthidae 22 b. Suckers on arms in 2 rows; tail short (less than half the mantle length) or absent (Fig. 26) , Cycloteuthidae 6 b. Funnel fused to mantle on each side; no funnel-mantle locking apparatus present 23 a. Mantle free dorsally, arti- culates with head by ridge and groove (Fig. 27) Grimalditeuthidae 23 b. Mantle fused dorsally with head (Fig. 28) Cranchiidae I b. Eight circumoral appendages; sessile suckers (except Vampyroteuthis) without chitinous rings Fishing Area 31 tentacular .-.^--v :>?.?.' ventral view Cycloteuthidae CDzacot44 Taningia danae Joubin, 1931 Family Onychoteuthidae ONYCHO And stroteu this lichtensteini (Orbigny, 1839) Onyohoteuthis banksi (Leach, 1817) ONYCHO Ony 1 Onykia carribaea LeSueur, 1021 Family Cycloteuthidae Cycloteuthis sivoenti Joubin, 1919 Disooteuthis disou3 Young & Roper, 1969 Discoteuthis laoiniosa Young & Roper, 1969 Family Lepidoteuthidae LEPIDO Lepidoteuthis grimaldii Joubin, 1895 Pholidoteuthis adami Voss, 1956 LEPIDO Pholi 1 Tetrony oho teu this dussumieri (Orbigny, 1839) Family Architeuthidae Arohiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 Family Histioteuthidae Hi3tioteuthis bonnelli (Ferussac, 1335) Histioteuthis celetaria (Voss, I960) Histioteuthis oorona (Voss & Voss, 1962) Histioteuthis dofleini (Pfeffer, 1912) Histioteuthis elongata (Voss & Voss, 1962) Histioteuthis meleagroteuthis (Chun, 1910) Histioteuthis reversa (Verrill, 1380) At least one other species, possibly undescribed, occurs in the northern sector of the area; genus currently being revised by G.L. Voss FAO Sheets - 16 - CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 OMMAS OMMAS 111 I OMMAS 111 2 OMMAS 111 3 OMMAS Ommas 2 OMMAS Ommas 3 OMMAS Orni 1 THYSANO THYSANO Thysano I Family Neoteuthidae Neoteuthis sp. Family Bathyteuchidae Bathyteuthia abysaiaola Hoyle, 1835 Family Ctenopterygidae Ctenopteryx sicula (Verany, 1651) Family Brachioteuthidae Brachioteuthis nisei (Steenstrup, 1882) Family Ommastrephidae Hyaloteuthis pelagiaa (Bosc, 1802) Illex coindetii (Verany, 1837) Illex illecebvosus (LeSueur, I8ZI) Illex oxygonius Roper, Lu A Mangold, 1969 Orrmastrephes bartrami (LeSueur, 1321) Omnastrephes pteropuB Steenstrup, 1855 Ornithoteuthis antillarum Adam, 1957 Family Thysanoteuthidae Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857 Family Chiroteuthidae Chiroteuthis spp. Valbyteuthis danae Joubin, 1931 Family Ma. tigoteuthidae Mastigoteuthis agassizi Verrill, 1831 Mastigoteuthis hjorti Chun, 1913 Mastigoteuthis magna Joubin, 1913 Family Grimalditeuthidae Orimalditeuthis bomplandi (Verany, 1837) Family Joubiniteuthidae Joubiniteuthis portieri (Joubin, 1912) Family Cranchiidae Bathothauma lyromma Chun, 1906 Cranchia scabra Leach, IS 17 Egea inevmis Joubin, 1933 Several species occur throughout the area; this deep-sea family currently is being revised by Roper & Young This very speciose family currently is being revised by N.A. Voss - 17 - FAO SheeCs CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 Helicoaranahia pfefferi Massy, 1907 Leachxa cyctuva LeSueur, 1321 Liocranchia reinhardti (Steenscrup, 1856) Taonius pavo (LeSueur, 1821) Order OcCopoda - Occopuses Family CirroCeuChidae Cirrotsuthis mulleri Eschrichc, 1838 Stauroteuthia ayrtensis Verrill, 1379 Family Opischoceuthidae Opisthoteuthis agossizi Verrill, 1883 Family Bolitaenidae Eledonella pygmaea Verrill, 1884 Japetella diaphana Hoyle, 1885 Family Alloposidae Allopoaus molli.3 Verrill, 1830 Family Occopodidae OCT Bathypolypiw arcticus (Prosch, 1349) Benthoctopus januari (Hoyle, 1885) Danoatopus schmidti Joubin, 1933 Euaxoctopua pillsburyae Voss, 1975 Octopus briarius Robson, 1929 OCT Occ 3 Octopus burryi Voss, 1950 Octopus defilippi Verany, 1851 Octopus hummelinaki Adam, 1936 Octopus joubini Robson, 1929 Octopus macropus Risso, 1326 OCT OcC 2 Octopus maya Voss & Solis, 1966 OCT Occ 4 Octopua vulgaria Cuvier, 1797 OCT Occ 1 Octopus zonatus Voss, 1968 Ptsroctopus tetracirrhus (Delle Chiaje, 1830) Scaeurgus unicirvhua (Orbigny, 1340) Tetracheledone spinicirvus Voss, 1955 Family Tremoccopodidae Tremoatopus gelatua Thomas, 1977 Tremoctopus violaceus Delle Chiaje, 1830 /* - 13 - FAO Sheets CEPHALOPODS Fishing Area 31 Family Argonautidae Argonauta avgo Linnaeus, 1753 Apgonauta hians Solander, 1786 Order Vampyromorpha - Vampire squids Family Vampyroteuthidae Vampyroteuthzs infermalis Chun, 1903 Prepared by C.F.E Roper, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A. Part of the illustrations provided by author LEPIDO 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) LEPIDOTEUTHIDAE Scaled squids Distinct "scales" in the integument of the mantle; a simple, straight funnel-locking apparatus; buacal connectives attached to ventral borders of fourth arms; two rows of suckers on arms, four rows on tentacular clubs (adults of Lepidoteuthis reportedly lack tentacles). Colour: deep maroon to pale pinkish. 2 rows of suckers on arms tentacles sometimes absent (adults of Lepidoteuthis) " **- 4 rows of suckers on tentacular clubs dorsal view (Pholidoteuthis) Medium to large-sized oceanic squids. Little is known of the biology of members of this family and no commercial fisheries exist to date. The species in the group are entirely oceanic, some pelagic and some, like Pholidoteuthis, epibenthic, that is, they spend at least part of the time, e.g. daytime, in association with the bottom, then disperse into the water column, even to the surface, at other times (night). They may occur in huge schools. FAO Sheets - 2 - LEPIDOTEUTHIDAE Fishing Area 31 SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Other oceanic squids including species of interest to fisheries: no scales on any part of body. KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: I a. Scales star-shaped or rounded, with a central bosa or pit (Fig. la) .... 1 b. Scales round or polygonal (Fig. lb) 2 a. Fina broad, laterally angled; extend posteriorly to form a sharply pointed tail (Fig. 2a); tentacles present in adults ... Tetronychoteuthis Pholidoteuthis 2 b. Fins elliptical, not laterally angled; extend nearly to blunt posterior tip of mantle (Fig. 2b); tentacles unknown Lepidoteuthis ' ?. .' Iff- ..f" H.W ..'S ,.-r i TefcronychofceutfH.'a Pholidoteuthis scales on mantle FIR. 1 Pholidoteuthis Lepidoteuthis dorsal view of mantle and fins Fig. 2 LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included Lepidoteuthis grinaldii Joubin, 1895 Pholidoteuthis adami Voss, 1956 LEPIDO Pholi I Tetronychoteuthis dussumieri (Orbigny, 1*39) Prepared by C.F.E. Roper, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington. D.C. 20560, U.S.A. Part of illustrations provided by author LEPIDO Pholi 1 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY : LEPIDOTEUTHIDAE 1977 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) Pholidoteuthis adami Voss, 1956 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Scaled squid Fr - Loutene Sp " turia escamuda NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle thick, choroidal, tapering posteriorly to a sharply pointed tail; fins broad, laterally angled, elongate posteriorly to help form the tail; fins occupy about 70 percent of the mantle length; anterior half of mantle covered with many small, closely-packed, rounded to polygonal, cartilaginous scales; acalation terminates abruptly dorsally at insertion of fins and ven- trally in an arc at about the midpoint of fins; tentacular clubs very long and only a little expanded; tentacular suckers compressed, oblong; gladius long and slender, straight-edged with an expanded vane ending in a sharp, oonical point. Colour: surfaces of head, arms, and fins pigmented a dark maroon colour, scaled area of mantle pigmented a pale, vinous red with scattered darker brownish chromatophores (colour probably uniform in live specimens). ventral view of mantle and fins 20 cm DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Tetronychoteuthia species: scales star- shaped or rounded with a central boss or pit (round or polygonal without pit in P. adami). Lepidoteutk-is grimaldii: fins large, elliptical, not extending to blunt posterior tip of mantle; tentacles reportedly lacking in adults (present in P.' adami). SIZE: Maximum: 60 cm mantle length. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western north Atlantic from about 40?N (very rare), Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and northeastern South America. Distribu- tional limits unknown. All captures of available specimens were made during the day with bottom trawls fishing at 85 to 925 m depth (greater abundance at 625 to 750 m) ; no night-time trawl captures known, so the species probably disperses into the water column at night; large schools occasionally are observed at the surface at night. Extremely abundant in offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. :r ? ???.???.?- ??''??:??? '> ?-? Tetronyckoteuthie Photidoreuthi* Lepidoteuthia gpimaldii dorsal view of mantle and fins PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: At present not fished commercially. CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Gear would be bottom trawl, lampara net, or seine, if a fishery develops. Quality of flesh for human consumption unknown. LOLIG 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. AcUncic) LOLIGINIDAE Inshore squids Shape variable from shore and scouc to long and slender; fins terminal or marginal, but always united posteriorly; funnel-looking apparatus a simple, straight groove; eyes covered with transparent skin (corneal membrane); buooal connectives attached to ventral borders of fourth arm3; 7 buccal lappets supplied with smalt suckers (except in Sepioteuthis); 8 arms and 2 tentacles around mouth; 2 rows of suckers on arms and 4 rows on tentacular clubs, hooks never present. Usually the left arm of the fourth (ventral) pair is hectocotylized in males (used, to transfer sperm packets fro**- the male to the female); the structure of the modified portion (hectocotylus) of the arm is useful in most species as a diagnostic character (often, the suckers on the hectocotylus are reduced in size or number, or modified into fleshy papillae or flaps, or they disappear altogether). Colour: situation. usually reddish-brown, darker doraally, but quite variable depending on the behavioural tunne1 contractile tentacles gladius (internal skeletal mantle support) feather-shaped tentacle hectocotylized arm in males beak (jaws) buccal membrane arm III buccal lappets often with suckers buccal connec- tives ventrally attached ventral view tentacular club (the left is hectocotylized in males) diagram of oral surface of brachial crown and buccal area FAO Sheet3 - 2 - LOLIGINIDAE Fishing Area 31 The Loliginidae are medium-sized squids (to about 40 cm mantle length) occurring world-wide along the coastal margins and continental shelf, primarily in warmer to temperate waters; they form one of the major groups of commercially utilized cephalopods. Various species occur from very shallow water in bays and estuaries* over grass flats and coral reefs, to water as deep as 400 m (during seasonal offshore migrations). Eggs usually are attached to hard surfaces in large, finger-like masses ("sea- mops '*) in shallow water; larvae resemble the adults. Certain species support extensive fisheries in several parts of the world, as the flesh is of excellent quality. SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Other teuthoid families which include commercial-sized species of present poten-r tial interest to fisheries (Onycho- teuthidae, Thysanoteuthidae, Lepidoteuthi- dae, Ommastrephidae) all lack suckers on the buccal lappets and have eyes open to the sea, not covered by a transparent corneal membrane. Furthermore: the funnel- locking apparatus is _L -shaped in Ommas- trephidae and H -shaped in Thysano- teuthidae; there are hooks on the tenta- cular clubs in Onychoteuthidae; and the mantle is covered with small integumentary scales in Lepidoteuthidae. VfJ simple, straight Ommastrephidae Thysanoteuthidae Loliginidste X-shaped -\- shaped }t basic types of funnel-locking apparatus hooks Onyohoteuthia tentacular club Lepidoteuthidae types of scales eye covered^*! by corneal bembrane Ommastrephidae, and other commercial squid families Loli&inid&e FAO Sheets LOLIGINIDAE Fishing Area 31 KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: 1 a. Fins in adults occupy more than 85 per- cent of mantle length, broadly ellip- tical (Fig. I); buccal lobes without suckers Sepioteuthis 1 b. Fins in adults occupy less than 70 per- cent of mantle length, round or rhomboidal (Figs. 2 snd 3); buccal lobes with small suckers 2 a. Fins in adults wider than long, round or auriform, not rhomboidal; mantle short, stout, broadly rounded posteriorly (Fig. 2) Lolliguncula 2 b. Fins in adults rhomboidal, longer than broad, not round; mantle elongate, bluntly pointed posteriorly (Fig. 3) Loligo Sepioteuthis Fig. 1 dorsal view Lolliguncula Fig. 2 LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included Loligo brasiliensia Blainville, I8Z] Loligo ooula Cohen, 1976 Loligo pealei LeSueur, 1821 Loligo plei Blainville, 1823 Loligo Topevi Cohen, 1976 Loligo eweinamenaia Voss, 1974 Lolliguncula brevis (Blsinville, 1823) Sepioteuthis aepioidea (Blainville, 1823) LOLIG Lolig 2 LOLIG Lolig 3 LOLIG Lolligun I LOLIG Sepio I Prepared by C.F.E. Roper, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A. Part of the illustrstions provided by author LOLIG Lolig 2 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: LOLIGINIDAE Loligo pealei LeSueur, 1821 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Common squid Fr - Calmar Sp - Calamar comun NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle long, moderately slender, cylindrical, the posterior end bluntly pointed; fins rhomboid, their sides nearly straight; left ventral (fourth) arm hectocotylized in mature males by modification of the distal third to fourth of arm, but the modifi- cation does not extend to arm tip; fewer than 12 of the suckers in dorsal row usually smaller than, half the size of their counterparts in the ventral row; bases or pedicels of some of the modified suckers rounded, narrowly triangular; gladius (skeletal mantle support) long, rather wide, feather-shaped, ratio of greatest width of vane of gladius to greatest width of rachis 2.7 to 3.7 in females, 2.4 to 2.9 in males; edge of vane curved (sometimes straight in males), thin, rarely j ribbed; eyes not unusually large, diameter of externally visible eyeball 8 to 18 percent of mantle length, and diameter of dissected lens 2 to 6 percent of mantle length. Colour: reddish brown, darker and more vivid dor.ally, lighter, less-pigmented ventrally. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Loligo pleii modified portion of hectocotylized (left ventral) arm occupies one fourth to one half of arm length and extends to arm tip; half to three quarters (42 to 82) of suckers in dorsal row much smaller than half the size of their ventral counterparts; modified (small) suckers on small, narrow, triangular pedicels (pedicels rounded, narrowly triangular in L. pealei); ratio of greatest width of vane of gladius to greatest width of rachis 1.5 to 2.4 (2.7 to 3.7 in L. pealei); edge of vane straight (often curved in females), thick, and ribbed or rod-like (mature males especially) (curved and thin in l*. pealei). i. plei L. pealei hectocotylized arm in males ventral view modified portion 5. suvinamensis ropem hectocotylized arm in males I ooula L. ocula: eyes large, diameter of externally visible eyeball 15 to 21 percent of mantle length, lens diameter (dissected) 6 to 3 percent of mantle length (8 to 18 percent and 2 to 6 percent respec- tively in L. pealei)', modified suckers of hectoco tylus (left ventral arm) all based on broadly trian gular pedicels (some on narrow, triangular pedicels in L. pealei). L. ropevi: a small species that matures at about 4.3 to 4.4 cm; maximum known size 7.2 cm mantle length (ini. pealei smallest mature male is 6.1 cm and female is 7.3 cm mantle length and maximum size exceeds 31 cm mantle length); modification of hectocotylized arm occupies over 50 percent of arm length and extends to its tip; about 80 percent of suckers on dorsal row modified and minute, suckers based on broadly triangular pedicels; fins short, always less than 50 percent (33 to 39 per-J cent) of mantle length (only L. pealei smaller than 5.5 cm have fins less than 50 percent of mantle length); 0 to 6 total suckers on buccal lappets, never any on ventral lappets (35 to 113 always with some on ventral lappets, in L. pealei) I. surinamensis: modified portion of hectocotylized (left ventral) arm occupies one third of arm and does not extend to tip; modified suckers based on flattened, broadly triangular pedicels that form dis- tinct lappets; suckers of the mid-portion of right ventral arm of males bear sharply pointed teeth (corresponding teeth in L. pealei are blunt, square-shaped); suckers on arms II and III of males greatly enlarged. Lolliguncula brevis: mantle stout, bluntly rounded posteriorly, widest in middle; fins wider than long, very rounded. Sepioteuthis sepioidea: mantle broad, bluntly rounded posteriorly; fins oval in outline and extending nearly entire length of mantle. SIZE; Maximum: 47 cm mantle length (male); males grow larger than females; sizes in Area 31 are considerably smaller than in northern waters; males: 30 cm maximum, less than 20 cm average; females: less than 13 cm (mantle length). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western Atlantic continental shelf and upper slope waters from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Not occurring around islands, except as very rare strays at islands close to continental shelf or slope. Very little data available on biology of Area 31 populations. Optimum temperatures 10? to I 4aC, minimum 8*C; North of Cape Hatteras there is a summer, inshore-northerly spawning migration to shallow coastal and shelf waters, followed by an offshore-southerly retreat in fall and winter to continental slope waters; restricted in summer to surface- and shallow water, but grading from 28 to 366 m depth in winter (peak concentrations at 100 to 193 m); adults are demersal during day but leave the bottom at night dispersing into the water column and may appear at the surface (in summer or warm water). Eggs laid in gelatinous finger-like strands, many of which are attached together in large masses ("sea mops") to a solid substrate (rock, shells, shipwrecks) from a few to 250 m; planktonic larvae and juveniles are abundant in surface waters and resemble adults in appearance (no metamorphosis); adults apparently die after spawning. Food includes crustaceans (e.g. euphausids), fishes and squids. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS AND FISHERY: Primarily north of Area 31 from off Cape Hatteras to New England, in shallow continental shelf water in summer to upper slope waters in winter. In Area 31 catches occur in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan, Colombia and Venezuela. Reliable statistics are unavailable for area 31, because catch is not separated by species of Loligo. Up to 60 000 tons are caught annually along the entire east coast of the U.S.A. and Canada primarily by European and Japanese trawlers. Probably a sizeable portion of the squid caught in Venezuela (1976: 500 t); correspond to ?.. pealei and L. plei. Caught principally by otter trawls and inshore trapnets. Utilized as food and for bait; medical research conducted on giant nerve FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: LOLIGINIDAE Loligo plei Blainville, 1823 LOLIG Lolig 3 1977 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cenc. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Doryteuthis plei (Blainville, 1823) VERNACULAR NAMES: - FAO: En - Arrow squid Fr - Calmar fleche Sp - Calamar flecha NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: the Mantle long, slender, cylindrical posterior end acutely pointed; fins rhomboid, their sides fairly straight; left ventral (fourth) arm hectocotylized in mature males by a modification of distal half to fourth of arm that extends to arm tip; " one half tc three four'JiS .42 to 82) of suckers in dorsal row much, smaller than half the size of their ventral counterparts; modified (small) suckers on small, narrow, triangular pedicels; gladius (skeletal mantle support) long, slender, feather- shaped; ratio of greatest width of vane of gladius to greatest width of raohis 1.5 to 2.4; edge of vane straight (often curved in females), thick, and ribbed or rod-like (mature males especially); eye not un- usually large, diameter of externally visible eyeball 14 to 19 percent of mantle length, diameter of dissected lens 2 to 7 percent of mantle length. Colour: dark reddish-brown dorsally darkest along dorsal midline of mantle; lighter, more yellowish background colour ventrally with reddish-brown overlay; often with reddish brown longitudinal stripes on anterior ventro-lateral mantle of males. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Loligo pealei: modified portion of hectocotilyzed arm located at distal third to fourth of arm, but does not extend to arm tip; fewer than 12 suckers in dorsal row smaller than half the size of their ventral counterparts; pedicels of some modified suckers rounded, narrowly triangular (small, narrow triangular pedicels in ?. plei)\ ratio of greatest width of vane of gladius to greatest width of rachis 2.7 to 3.7 vencrat view modi fied nort ion dorsal view m l. pealei hectocotylized arm in males (1.5 to 2.4 in L. plei)', edge of vane curved (some- times straight in males) thin, rarely" ribbed (straight (often curved in females), thick, ribbed or rod-like (mature males especially) in L. plei). L. ocula: eyes large, diameter of externally visible eyeball 15 to 21 percent, lens diameter (dis- sected) 6 to b percent of mantle length (14 to 19 percent and 2 to 7 percent, respectively in L* .plei)', modification of hectocotylized arm does not extend to arm tip; all modified suckers on hectocotylus based on broadly triangular pedicels; ratio of greatest width of vane of gladius to greatest width of rachis is 2.4 to 2.9 (1.5 to 2.4 in L. plei)', fin width 45 to 59 percent of mantle length (33 to 45 percent in L. plei)* L. roperi: a small species that matures at about 4.3 to 4.4 cm mantle length, maximum size 7.2 cm mantle length (L. plei matures at 4 to 35 cm ' (males) and 4.2 to 21 cm (females) mantle length); I modification of hectocotylized arm occupies more than 50 percent of arm length (less than 50 percent in L. plei)', about 80 percent of suckers on dorsal row modified and minute suckers based on broadly triangular pedicels; 0 to 6 total suckers on buccal lappets, never any on ventral lappets (16 to 66, always with^ some on ventral lappets, in L. plei) L. surinamensis: modified portion of hectocotylized (left ventral) arm occupies one third of arm and does not extend to tip; modified suckers based on flattened, broadly triangular pedicels that form distinct lappets (small, narrow triangular pedicels in L. plei). Lolliguncula bvevis: mantle stout, bluntly rounded posteriorly; fins j\ broad, wider than long, very rounded. i/ Sepioteuthig sepioidea; mantle broad, stout, bluntly rounded posteriorly;/ fins oval in outline and extending nearly entire length of mantle. V surznameYi^i3 hectocotylized arm in males SIZE; L. brevis S. sepioidea Maximum: males to 35 cm, females to 22 cm mantle lengthy GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea in con- tinental shelf and upper slope waters from Cape Hatteras (36?N), (very rarely to southern New England) to Fortaleza, Brazil (4?S); Bermuda, Bahamian and Caribbean Islands. Little biological information available. Occurs from the surface to 366 m depth, mostly shallower than 200 m; apparently concentrates near the bottom during the day and disperses into the water column at night, when it can be dip- netted at the surface; males attain a larger size than females; matures over a broad range of sizes depending on season and locality: males 3.8 to 35 cm, females 4.2 to 20.3 cm mantle length, while they can remain immature up to 14 cm (males) and 9 cm (females); immature and mature specimens of a broad range of sizes maybe caught in the same net-haul; gravid specimens are found the year round; all may not die after spawning; eggs are laid in gelatinous, finger-like strands attached together and cemented to a hard substrate (rock, coral, shell) in large masses ("sea mops"). Feeds on crustaceans, small fishes, and probably squids. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS AND FISHERY: A small fishery occurs in Progresso, Yucatan, and. probably L. plei is caught throughout its range of occurrence, but separate statistics are not kept where it may co-occur with L. pealei. In the Bahamian and Caribbean Islands undoubtedly it is the most frequently captured commercial species of Loliginidae. Probably a sizeable portion of the squid caught in Venezuela (1976: 500 t) correspond to L. plei and L. pealei. The maximum abundance of the species lies in Area 31. Principle gear includes otter trawls and dipnets. Used as food and bait; medical research conducted on giant nerve fibres. FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS LOLIG Lolligun 1 1977 FAMILY: LOHGINIDAE Lolliguncula brevis (Blainville, 1823) FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Thumbscall squid Fr - CaLraar doigtier Sp - Calatnar dedal NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: heccococylized arm in males dorsal view =? Mantle stout, bluntly pounded posteriorly, widest in mid-portion; fins broad, wider than long (fin width 7S percent of mantle length), very rounded, short (SO to 55 percent of mantle length); modified portion of hectoootylized (left ventral) arm occupies distal third of arm and extends to arm tip; about 24 suckers of dorsal row modified, the proximal 1 to Z being greatly reduced in dia- meter, the remaining pedicels distally are greatly enlarged aith long, slightly flattened papillae that gradually deminish in size distally; no large, puffy, glandular enlargement of basal area of arm between sucker rows. Colour: dark reddish brown to brownish yellow with dark purple-red chromatophores over nearly entire animal; chromatophores most dense on ventral surface of mantle and head, except in very large specimens, in which the opposite occurs. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Loligo species: mantle elongate, narrow, tapering to a point posteriorly, widest at anterior opening; fins rhomboidal, with lateral angles, usually not broader than long, never wider than 60 percent of mantle length. Sepioteuthis sepioidea: mantle broad,stout, bluntly rounded posteriorly, widest at anterior opening,- fins long, extending nearly entire length of mantle (90 percent in adults, about 75 percent in juveniles), elliptical to weakly rhomboidal, width about 65 percent of mantle length. SIZE: Maximum: females 11 cm, males 3.5 cm mantle length. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western Atlantic from New Jersey, Delaware Bay and southward to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean mainland and coast of northeastern South America (about 40?N to 23?S); excluded from the Bahamas and Caribbean Islands except Cuba and Curacao. Entirely coastal and limited to very shallow water of less than Id m depth. Occurs primarily in bays and estuaries and is asso- ciated with low salinity water, although it is not excluded from coastal salinities up to 36?/op; lowest recorded salinity 2.4*/.., normal range 17 to 30?/o?. The occurrence only on the islands of Cuba and Curacao is attributed to the proximity of these islands to the mainland (coitinental shelf) and, in Cuba, to the existence of extensive bays and estuaries with reduced salinity. Tempera- tures of captures range from 15* to 32?C. Small eggs are laid in elongate, termi- nally rounded, gelatinous capsules attached to the bottom in shallow waters. Food consists of small crustaceans and fishes. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Currently no specific commercial fisheries exists in spite of the great abundance of this species in several areas. Apparently a high potential for a sustained fishery exists in the northern and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Loligo sp. S. sepioidea CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species, although it is caught sometimes in large quantities, incidentally in otter trawling fisheries for shrimps and fishes. Formerly captured in wiers and poundnets along Virginia, Maryland and Delaware coasts. Otter trawls are effective over appropriate bottoms. Utilized for food and bait. LOLIG Sepio 1 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: LOLIGINIDAE Sepioteutkis sepioidea (BLainville, 1823) 1977 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: ' FAO: En - Reef squid Fr - Calmar ris Sp - Calamar de arrecife NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle broad, relatively stout tapered to a blunt posterior end, widest at anterior opening; fins occupy nearly entire length of mantle (90 percent in adults, 70 percent in juveniles) and are eLlip tical to weakly rhomboidal, their width about 65 percent of mantle length; buaaal lappets without suckers; modified portion of hecto cotylized (left ventral) arm occupies distal fourth of arm length and is characterized by sudden reduction in size of one or 2 pairs of suckers, the complete absence of suckers in both rows from the remaining distal portion of the arm, and the increase in size of the pedicels into large, fleshy papillae. hectocotylized arm in males ventral view Colour: quite varied in life from translucent with irredescent sheen, through greenish brown to deep reddish brown, depending on location and situation; may show "eye-spots", bands, stripes on mantle, these sometimes outlined in white. Loligo sp. Lolligunaula brevis ventral view DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Loligo species: mantle elongate, narrow, tapering to a point posteriorly; fins rhom- boidal with lateral angles, never longer than 65 percent of mantle length; suckers present on buccal lappets (absent in S. sepioidea). Lolligunaula brevis: mantle stout, widest at middle, bluntly rounded posteriorly; fins broad, wider than long (75 percent of mantle length), short (about 50 percent of mantle length), and round; buccal lobes with suckers. SIZE: Maximum: 15 to 20 cm (mantle length). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Tropical western Atlantic from Cape Cana- veral, Florida, Bermuda and the Bahama Islands, Florida Keys, Caribbean Islands, Campeche, Yucatan to Venezuela. A truly tropical species that is limited in distribution by the distributions of coral reefs, primarily, and grass flats (Thalassia testudinum) . It occurs at depths of 0 to 20 m, mostly 3 to 7m. As true coral reefs are absent from the Gulf of Mexico proper, 5. sepioidea also appears to be excluded from the Gulf. Occurs in schools of 4 to 50 individuals of about equal size-groups that cruise around the reefs or above the reef flats, or grass beds behind the reefs. Specimens are mature at about 9 cm mantle length (hectocotylus visible on males at 3 cm mantle length). Eggs are very yolky and large, about 5 to 6 mm long; only 3 to A eggs are laid in large, gelatinous capsules, several of which are attached together at their bases; these small clusters are laid under rocks or in conch shells (Stronbus gigasl; breeding apparently occurs year-round. Feeds on fishes and shrimps. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Presently not fished commercially in Area 31 . CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Attraction by night light and capture with dipnet or liftnet; small purse seine or jigging would be the most effective gear. Other specie, of SepioteuthU in the Indo Pacific are fished extensively and are of excellent quality for eating. OCT 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OCTOPODIDAE Octopuses , Body short, aac-like, without lateral fins; 8 arms around mouth, but no tentacles; mantle with a large aperture; suckers in 2 rows, without ckitinous sucker rings (the subfamily Eledoninae has 1 row of suckers, but it does not occur in Fishing Area 31). Third (ventral) left arm in males hectoto- tylized (used to transfer sperm packets from the male to the female); the shape and structure of the modified distal portion (or ligula) of this arm is often useful as a diagnostic generic or specific character.- Colour: very variable and changeable from mottled brown, green, and white to deep brick red or maroon, to white-spotted or ocellated. dorsal view length of ligula tip of hectocotylized arm (in males) The family Octopodidae is extremely rich in species. Octopuses occur in all oceans and nearly all habitats. Those under consideration here are the inshore, shallow water forms that support current fisheries or show a potential for fisheries. They occur from I to perhaps SO m depth on sand, mud, grass flat, coral reef or reef-rubble habitats, depending on the species. Most lay eggs in large numbers strung together in strands and attached to a hard substrate, hidden from view of potential predators. Larvae hatch out resembling the adults and they either settle immediately to the bottom to take up the habitat of the adult, or they become planktonic for a period during which time they drift about with the currents before settling out into the adult habitat. Fishing activity ranges from the subsistence level using hooked poles or spears to the commercial level using multiple baited lines or clay pots. FAO Sheets - 2 - OCTOPODIDAE Fishing Area 31 SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Tremoctopodidae: animals large, semi-gelatinous; dorsal (first) pair of arms much the longest and connected to each other and the second arms by a deep, membranous web; coloration violet. Argonautidae: animals medium-sized; a very shallow web between the arms; in females dorsal (first) pair of arms with, a very broad, flap-like membrane distally that produces and holds the open, white shell that serves as act egg case; males very small. Tremoctopodidae dorsal view KEY TO SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA*: 1 a. Mantle, head, and arms crossed by broad bands of chocolate brown on a light back" groud (Fig. la); animals small; gill lamellae 6 or 7; ligula index** 6 to 9 (Fig. lb); eggs medium-sized, about shell covered with web of first arm -long lb. No chocolate-brown bars crossing mantle head, and arms 2a. An ocellua or dark spot or ring on each side of head between eye and base of second and third arms After Vofls, 1968 .Qotopua zonatua dorsal view tip of hectocotylized arm (in males) 0. zonatua Fig. length of ligula expressed in percentage of length of hectocotylized arm; length of ligula is measured from distal (last) sucker to tip of arm; length of hectocotylized arm is measured from mouth to tip of arm FAO Sheecs OCTOPODIDAE Fishing Area 31 3 a. Ocellus wich a narrow blue ring within the spot (Fig. 2a); animals small; gill lamellae 6 or 7; ligula index 4 or 5 (Fig. 3b); eggs small 0. himmelincki ''^y*~*7 3 b. Ocellus without a blue ring (Fig. 2b); animals large; gill lamellae 9 or 10; ligula index 1.4 to 1.9 (Fig. 3C); eggs large, to 17 mm 0. maya 2 b. No ocellus,or dark spot,or ring present 4 a. Mantle, head and arms covered with close-set papillae; a dark pur- plish or brownish stripe along dorsal side of arms (Fig. 4); size small 0. burryi inner blue rinfi ot ocellus 0. humrte lincki (young individual 4 b. Mantle, head and arms not covered with close-set papillae; no dark stripe along dorsal borderof arms 0. maya head, lateral view Fig. dark bands 0. burryi lateral view ligula < Fig. 4 0. burryi 0. hwrnelincki tip of hectocotylized arm (in males) - 4 - FAO Sheecs OCTOPODIDAE Fishing Area 31 5 a, maaropua 5 b. First pair of arms always largest and usually longest, stoutest or coequally stoutest with second pair of arms (Fig. 5a), size of animals medium to large; gill lamellae 9 to 13; ligula index up to 14 (Fig. 5b); eggs small 0. Second and/or third pair of arms longest, usually conspicuously so 6 a. Second and third pair of arms much longer and stouter than first and fourth pair (Fig.6a); size of animals medium to large; gill lamellae 6 to 8; ligula index 3 or 4 (Fig. 6b); eggs large, from 10 to 14 mm ....md third pairs loujcr.t tmd very stout; third right arm of males hectocotylized by modification of arm tip into a large expanded, ridged and grooved ligula; ligula index (length of ligula expressed as percentage of length of hectocotylized arm) 3 or 4; 6 to 8 gill lamellae on outer side of gill; animals medium to large-sized; eggs larget 10 to 14 mm. Colour: bluish green to greenish brown, mottled, darker when disturbed. dorsal first pair of arms third arm oral view DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: 0. vulgaris: all arms about equally robust, first pair slightly shorter than second (second and third pairs much longer and thicker than first pair in 0. briarius); hectoctotylized arm-tip very small; ligula index less than 2.5 (ligula large, expanded, ridged and grooved, index 3 or 4 in 0. briarius); 7 to 11 gill lamellae (6 to 8 in 0* briarius); eggs small, 3 mm or less (large, 10 to 14 mm in 0, briarius). 0, macropus: dorsal arms longest and stoutest (shortest, often weakest, in 0. briarius); hectoco- tylized arm with a large, stout tubular ligula, index up to 14; 9 to 13 gill lamellae; colour blue-green with large white spots over dorsal surface of body, head, and arms (no spots on 0. briarius), 0. maya: a large, round, dark "eyespot" (ocellus) on each side between eye and base of second and third arms (no ocellus in 0, briarius); hectocotylized arm- tip small with inrolled edges, ligula index 1.4 to 1.9; 0. vulgaris 0. macropus 0. 9 or 10 gill lamellae. c?p o? hectocotylized arm in maya O. bri showing art us 0. zonatua: mantle, head and arms crossed with broad, chocolate brown bands against light background? 0. hwrrnelinckz; dark ocellus or eyespot between eye and base of second and third arms with narrow blue ring within the spot. 0. buwy'L: mantle, head and arms covered with close-set papillae; dark purplish or / brownish stripe along dorsal side of arms 0* defilippi: arms very long, slender, asymmetrical in length; mantle small, II gill lamellae. 0. joubini: arms very short, slender, equal in length and thickness; third right arm hectocotylized with a large, conspicuous, ridged ligula, ligula index 4 to 7; gill lamellae 5 to 7; eggs moderately large, 5 to SIZE: scc-Lpes 0, burryi lateral view 0. maya 0. zonatus head, lateral view dorsal view t< ?J t i Q\/fCl Maximum: 60 cm total length (including arms); common to 40 cm. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Warm waters of the western north Atlantic; southeastern United States, southern Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, Caribbean Islands chain and northern South America to Guianas, Occurs in very shallow, warm waters of coral reefs, rocky and sandy bottom and grass flats; life span about I year; spawning season December to March; males die after mating, females die following egg-laying (about 500 in small clusters), brooding of clutch, and hatching of larvae; larvae are large, non-planktonic; they settle immediately in the adult habitat; feeds on crabs, shrimps and molluscs. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: <& .5 0. defilippi dorsal view 0. joubini dorsal view No large-scale commercial fisheries, but extensive local and subsistence fisheries throughout Fishing Area 31. CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Probably included in the catch reported for OatopuB vutgaris (4 487 tons from Fishing Area 31, mainly Mexico). Caught from holes by hooks on poles; speared over open bottom; trapped in clay pots. Used fresh for food and for bait. FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: OCTOPODIDAE Octopus maya Voss & Solis, 1966 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: OCT Oct 4 1977 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) FAO: En Fr Sp Mexican four-eyed octopus Poulpe mexicain Pulpo mexicano NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: A large, round, dark "eyespot" (ocellus) between the eye and the base of the second and third pair of arms on each side of the head; arms long with attenuate tips; third right arm in males shortened, hectocotylized by modification of tip into a small, smooch spoon-shaped ligula with inrolled edges; ligula index (length of ligula expressed as percentage of length of hectocotylized arm) 1.4 to 1.9; 9 or 10 gill lamellae on outer side of gill; animals large; eggs large, to 17 mm. ocellus funnel lateral view (partial) F =) Colour: dark brown; turns to dark reddish brown when animal is alarmed. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: 0. hummelincki: dark ocellus or eyespot between eye and base of second and third ' arms with a narrow blue ring within the spot; ligula index A or 5 (1.4 to I.9 in 0. maya). Other Octopus species: no ocellus on >ligula 0. hummelincki Cip of hectocotylized arm in males showing ligula SIZE: Maximum; 130 cm total length (including arms) weight 5 kg. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION'AND BEHAVIOUR: Apparently restricted to the coasts of Csmpeche and Yucatan, Mexico. Occurs in shallow water from 1 to 50 m, on graasy bottom; spawning season November and December; I 500 to 2 000 large eggs deposited in festoons in rocky holes and empty shells; female broods the clutch; the young hatch in 50 to 65 days, large hatchlings settle immediately on the bottom; life -pan 1 to 2 years. Feeds on crabs (e.g. stone crab Menippe mevaenaria), bivslve molluscs and fishes; preyed upon by grouper (Serranidae) and mackerel (Scombridae). PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Campeche snd Yucatan, Mexico. CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Doubtless constitutes most of the catch reported as Octopus vulgaria (4 487 tons from Fishing Area 31, mainly Mexico). 0. maya is the dominant species in Mexican octopus cstches. octopus catches. Captured from June to December from small drifting boats with 25 to 35 nylon or cotton lines trailed along the bottom, baited with crabs; when the lines go taut they are hauled in and the octopuses are dipnetted aboard; occasionally srtificial lures soaked in fish oil are used, as are empty conch shells (StronfauB gigaa) and clay pots into which octopuses crawl for shelter or to lay eggs; hooking and spesring are done in shallow water. Utilized ss food and bait. OMMAS 19 7 7 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OMMASTREPHIDAE Flying squids Mantle elongate, torpedo-like, tapering posteriorly; fins large and terminal; funnel-looking apparatus -L -shaped; 8 arms and 2 tentacles around mouth; 2 rows of suckers on arms and 4 rows on tentacular clubs, except in Illex which has 8 rows of suckers on the dactytus of the clubs; hooks never present on arms or clubs; buccal connectives attached to dorsal borders of fourth arms.- Usually one of the ventral (fourth) pair of srms ia hectocotylized in males (used to transfer sperm packets from the male to the female); the structure of the modified portion (hectocotylus)' of this arm is useful in most species as a diagnostic character (often, sucker stalks or trabeculae on the hectocotylus are modified into fleshy papillae or flaps; suckers may be reduced in size or disap- disappear altogether, or there may be further modifications). Colour: deep maroon to pale reddish-brown, or purplish; darkest dorsally. funne1 funnel locking cartilage uccal lappet buccal membrane arm III buccsl connective (dorsally attached) Otmastrephes tentacular club arm IV (hectocotylized) diagram of oral surface of brachial crown and buccal ares FAO Sheets OMMASTREPHIDAE Fishing Area 3 I Jtedium? to large-sized oceanic and neri and conspicuous families of squids in the wo Todarodes paoifious, makes up the bulk of th annually) and may comprise at least half the of Fishing Area 31,6 species of ommastrephid for commercial exploitation. Ommastrephids Some neritic species exhibit strong seasonal shore waters where they are accessable to fi (commonly 30 to 50 cm total length and up to make them ideal for human consumption. tic squids. This is one of the most widely distributed rid. Most species are exploited commercially and one, squid landings in Japan (up to 600 000 metric tons annual world catch of cephalopods. In various parts s currently are fished commercially or have a potential are powerful swimmers-and often occur in large schools. migrations, wherein they occur in huge numbers in in- sheries activities. The large size of most species 120 cm total length) and the heavily muscled structure, SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Onychoteuthidae: tentacular clubs with claw-like hooks; funnel-locking apparatus a simple, straight groove. Thysanoteuthidae: funnel-locking apparatus a Long, narrow longitudinal groove with a short broad transverse groove, H-shapeu; fins broad, rhomboidal, extend nearly full length of mantle. Lepidoteuthidae: distinct "scales" on the surface of the mantle; funnel-locking apparatus a simple, straight groove. Loliginidae: eyes covered with a trans- parent corneal membrane; funnel-locking apparatus a simple, straight groove; small suckers on the buccal lappets (none in Ommastrephidae). /- ,_-Y* A^w? m_l* '?'JMV' '.^ Jlrf-' Lepidoteuthidae scales on surface of mantle Onychoteuthidae tentacular club ?(-shaped simple, straight ^-shaped Thysanoteuthidae Lepidoteuthidae Ommastrephidae, Loliginidae funnel-locking apparatus FAO Sheets OMMASTREPHIDAE KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: ) a. Suckers on cip (dactylus) of tentacular clubs in 8 rows (Fig. la) Illex 8 rovs of suckers ] b. Suckers on cip of tentacular clubs in 4 rows (Fig. lb) dactylus 2 a. Mantle drawn out posteriorly with a pointed tail; foveola present in funnel groove, side pockets absent (Fig. 2a); a long, thin strip of luminous tissue along ven- tral mid line of viscera posterior to heart Omithoteuthia Y^V^^'^ 2 b. Mantle with bluntly pointed termi- >? nus, not drawn out into a pointed \ tail; foveola and side pockets present (Fig. 2b) #;? Fishing Area 31 m?: sti 5ft- , $m ^## 3 a. Nineteen large round Light organs on ventral surface of mantle, 4 pairs along ventral surface of fourth arms (Fig, 3a) Hyaloteuthis 3b. A golden stripe of luminous tissue along ventral midLine of mantle {0. bartrami. Fig. 3b) or a large sub- cutaneous patch of consoli- dated luminescent granules on anterodorsal surface of mantle (0. pteropus) Oimastvephea 0>*FKie trepkes distal end of tentacular club foveola b Omnaatrephea funnel groove Fi^ Eydloteuthie pelagioa Ommaetrephes bartrami ventral view Fig. 3 LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included Hyaloteuthie pelagiaa (Bosc, 1802) Illex ooindetii (Verany, 1837) OMMAS 111 I Illex illeaebrosua (LeSueur, 1821) OMMAS 111 2 Illex oxygoniua Roper, Lu 4 Mangold, 1969 OMMAS 111 3 Ormaatrephee bartrami (LeSueur, 1821) OMMAS Ommas 2 Ormaatrephee pteropua Steenstrup, 1855 OMMAS Oranas 3 Omithoteuthia antillarum Adam, 1957 OMMAS Orni I Prepared by C.F.E. Roper, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Insti- tution, Washington, O.C. 20560, U.S.A. Part of illustrations provided by author OMMAS 111 1 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: OMMASTREPHIDAE Illex aoindetii (Verany, 1337) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Illex illecebroeua ooindetii. species, such a designation is now unjustifiable (see Roper, Lu 4 Mangold, VERNACULAR NAMES': FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) Formerly considered a sub- 1969) llae trabeculae) FAO: En - Caribbean short fin squid Fr - Encornet rouge des Caraibes Sp - Pota voladora NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle widest at anterior end (except in fully ripe females), moderately Long and narrow; tail pointed, moderately drawn out; fin angle broad, exceeding 50?; fin width greater than fin length; head large and robust, especially in males, length about equal to width; arms Very long, especially in males where second and third also are very robust; hectoootylized arm (in males) longer than the opposite ventral (fourth) arm, its modified portion about 25 percent of arm length; distal trabeculae modified to papillose, fringed flaps; 1 to 2 knobs on dorsal row of lamellae of modified arm tip. Colour: reddish to reddish brown, more vivid dorsally; paler, more yellowish ventrally. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Illex illeoebrosus: mantle robust, widest at midpoint between anterior end and beginning of fins; fin-angle moderate, 40? to 50?, mostly 45" (greater than 50? in I. aoindetii); hectocotylized arm shorter than the opposite ventral (fourth) arm, trabeculae without papillose, fringed flaps (papillose fringed flaps in I. ooindetii); head small, short and narrow; arms reltively short, of about equal length in both sexes. I. illeoebrosus I. oxygonius I.coindetii mantle and fins (ventral view) vencral view of mantle and fins 1 cm / Y Ommastrephes Illcx discal end of tentacular club Uyaloteuthis pelagtea I. oxygonins: mantle widest at anterior end, long, narrow, drawn out into a pointed tail post- eriorly; males with sharp, distinct, triangular dorsal lobe at anterior mantle opening; fin angle acute, 25? to 35*, very occasionally 40?; fin width equal to, or slightly greater*than fin length; modified portion of hectocotylized arm about 29 percent of arm length; trabeculae without papillose fringed flaps; 3 knobs on dorsal row of ' lamellae of modified arm tip; head medium-sized, wider than long; arms moderately long, especially in males. Ommastrephes species: only 4 rows of suckers at tips (dactylu.) of tentacular clubs (0 in Illex); fixing apparatus on clubs with 0 to 3 knobs and 2 to 4 small, smooth suckers (none in Illex); foveola in funnel groove with 5 to 9 folds, I to 5 side pockets on each side (none in Illex). Ornithoteuthis anfrCllarum: only 4 rows of suckers at tips (dactylus) of tentacular clubs (8 in Illex); no fixing apparatus on tentacular clubs; foveola in funnel groove with 7 to 12 folds, no side pockets (no foveola or side pockets in II lex). Hyaloteuthis pelagica: mantle with 19 round integumentary light organs on ventral surface; 4 round light organs along ventral surface of each ventral arm (no light organs in Illex). SIZE: Maximum: males Id cm; females 23 cm mantle length (reached only in the eastern Atlantic); common in Area 31: males 15 to 17 cm; females 16 to 24 cm (in Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, respectively). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western North Atlantic from 37*N south- ward through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; eastern Atlantic from North Sea south- ward along European Atlantic coast, Mediter- ranean Sea, African coast to I4*S. A neritic species that inhabits near- shore waters of the continental shelf; it has not been recorded from east of the Antilles chain or from south of about 9?N in the western Atlantic (lack of collections limits knowledge of its southern range). Apparent preference for sandy or silty bottoms; vertical range from a few metres to I 000 m with major abundance at 200 to 600 m in the western Atlantic. Apparently associated with the bottom during the day (when captures are most frequent), disperses into the water column at night. Bottom temperatures at capture sites in the western Atlantic range from 8* to I3*C. Ornithoteuthis antillarum funnel groove Spawning grounds, season, eggs and larvae are unknown. Prey presumed to be crustaceans (euphau- sids) and fishes. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Presently not fished in Area 31, although it is commercially exploited in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, mainly with bottom trawls. Potential seems high for fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, although estimates of commercial abundance have not been made. OMMAS 111 2 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: OMMASTREPHIDAE FISHING AREA 31 (W Cenc. Atlantic) lllcT, illecebrosun (LeSueur, 1821) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMf;S STILL IN USE: Illex illecebrosus illecebrosus. The subspecies designa- tion still may occur, but its usage is incorrect (.see Roper, Lu 4 Mangold, 1969) VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Northern shortfin squid Fr - Encornet rouge nordique Sp - Pota nortena NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle robust, uide.it at mid-point between anterior- and and beginning of fins; tail not sharply pointed; fin angle moderate, 10? to 50?, mostly 4.5?; fin width greater than fin length; head email, short and narrow; arms relatively short, of about equal length in both sexes; hectocotylised arm (in males) shorter than the opposite ventral (fourth) arm, its modified portion very short, about 22 percent of arm length; trabeculae (lamellae) without papillose fringed flaps; I or 2 knobs on dorsal row of lamellae on modified arm tip. Colour: reddish-brown to deep purple, more intense on head, arms and dorsal surface of mantle and fins; paler on ventral surfaces; a brilliant yellowish-green tint. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Illex coindetii: mantle widest at anterior end; angle broad, greater than 50? (mostly less than 50*in I. illecebrosus); heccocotylized arm longer than the opposite ventral (fourth) arm; distal trabeculae modified into papillose, fringed flaps (no such flaps in J. illecebrosus); head large and robust; arms very long and robust, especially the second and third in males. I. oxygoniua: mantle widest at anterior end, drawn out into a long narrow pointed tail post- eriorly; males with a sharp, dis- tinct, triangular, dorsal lobe at anterior mantle opening; fin angle acute, 25* to 35*, fin width about equal to fin length; hecto- cotylized arm longer than the opposite ventral arm (IV); modified portion about 29 percent of arm length; 3 knobs on dorsal row of lamellae of modified arm tip; head medium-sized, wider than long. Arms moderately long and robust, especially in males (II and III). fin angle I. illecebrosus I. coindetii I. oxygonius and fins (ventral view) hectocotylized arm (in males) Orrmaa trephea species: only 4 rows of suckers at Cips (dactylus) of tentacular clubs (8 in Illex) fixing apparatus on clubs with 0 to 3 knobs and 2 to 4 small, smooth suckers (none in Illex); foveola in funnel groove with 5 to 8 folds, I to 5 side pockets on each side (none in Illex). Ornithoteuthis antillorum: only 4 rows of suckers at tips (dactylus) of tentacular clubs(8 in Illex)\ no fixing apparatus on tentacular clubs; foveola in funnel groove with 7 to 12 folds, 0 side pockets (no foveola or side pockets in Illex). Hyaloteutkia pelagiea: mantle with 19 round integumentary light organs on ventral surface; 4 round light organs along ventral surface of each ventral arm (no light organs in Illex). SIZE: Maximum: males 27 cm; females 31 cm mantle l'ength (reached only north of Area 31); common in Area 31: males 13 cm; females 20 cm. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: East coast of North America from Labrador to central Florida. Relatively un- common south of Cape Hatteras; greatest abundance in northern portion of range. Inhabits inshore waters in summer and retreats to deeper, offshore waters of the continental shelf and slope in fall and winter. Occurs in temperatures of 0* to I5?C, optimum 7? to 13?, so it is restricted to northern waters of Area 31. Vertical range extensive depending on size, season, and time of day, but tends to congregate on or near the bottom during the day and disperse into the water column at night. Has been caught from the surface to about 1 000 m depth. Spawning grounds and season are unknown, but recent data indicate a late fall-early winter spawning in offshore slope water of less than 15*C. Eggs and larvae are virtually unknown. The in-shore summer migration is associated with intensive feeding, primarily on small fishes and euphasids- Onmas trephes Illex distal end of tentacular club Hyaloteuthis pelagiea Oxmithoteuthia antillorum PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Extreme northern sector of Area 3! in offshore waters during fall and winter. In the Middle- Atlantic states of the U.S.A. the same fishing situation occurs, while from New England northward to Labrador, fishing takes place in inshore waters during the summer and early fall. CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species in Fishing Area 31. Caught primarily by otter trawl in Area 31. In Newfoundland it is captured by hand-jigging or by squid-jigging machine with lights at night from small, open boats. The species has been utilized primarily as fish bait in waters north of Area 31. However, it is of good quality for human consumption and recent years have seen greater demand on the species as a source of food, particularly in eastern Europe and Japan. At present marketed mostly fresh or frozen; however, also suitable dried. OMMAS 111 3 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS 1977 FAMILY : OMMASTREPHIDAE OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Sharptail shortfin Fr - Encornet rouge a pointe Sp - Pota puntiaguda NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle widest at anterior end; long, narrow, drawn out to a pointed tail posteriorly; males with a sharp, distinct, triangular dorsal lobe at mantle opening; fin angle acute, 2S? to 35? (very occa- sionally to 40*); fin width equal to or slightly greater than fin length; head medium-sized, wider than long; arms moderately long and robust, especially the second and third in males; hectocotylized arm(in males) longer than the oppo- site ventral (fourth) arm; modified portion about 29 percent of arm length; trabeculae (lamellae) without papillose, fringed flaps; Z knobs on dorsal row of lamellae of modified arm tip. Colour: reddish to reddish- brown, more vivid dorsally; paler, more yellowish ventrally, DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Illex coindetii: mantle also widest at anterior end; fin angle broad, greater than 50? (25? to 35? in I. oxygonius); hectocotylized arm longer than the opposite ventral (fourth) arm; distal trabeculae modified to papillose, fringed flaps (trabeculae without such flaps in I. oxygonius); I or 2 knobs on dorsal row of lamellae on modified arm tip (3 knobs in I. oxygonius). fin angle ventral view of mantle and fins 6 cm I. illecebrosus: mantle robust, widest at midpoint between anterior end and beginning of fins, not drawn out into pointed tail post- eriorly (pointed tail in I. oxygonius); fin angle 40? to 50?, mostly 45?; no dis- tinct triangular dorsal lobe at mantle opening (present in I. oxygonius); hectoco- tylized arm shorter than the opposite ventral (fourth) arm; modified portion short, about 22 percent of arm length (29 percent in I. oxygonius); I or 2 knobs on dorsal row of lamellae on modified arm tip (3 knobs in I. oxygonius). r i 4K i / ? v Illex coindetii Illex illecebrosua lllex oxygonius mantle and fins (ventral view) 0rmiastrephe3 species: only 4 rows of suckers at tips (dactylus) of tentacular clubs (II in Illex); fixing apparatus on clubs with 0 to 3 knobs and 2 to 4 small, smooth suckers (none in Illex): foveola in funnel groove with 5 to 9 folds, I to 5 side pockets on each side (none in Illex). Ornithoteuthis antillarvm: only 4 rows of suckers at tips (dactylus) of ten- tacular clubs (H in Illex); no fixing apparatus on tentacular clubs; foveola in funnel groove with 7 Co 12 folds, no side pockets (no foveola or side pockets in Illex) Hyaloteuthis pelagioa: mantle with 19 round integumentary light organs on ventral surface; 4 round light organs along ventral surface of each ventral arm j (no light organs in Illex). Hyaloteuthis peiagiea SIZE: Maximum: males 23 cm, Otrmaotx'Gphea distal end of females 21 cm mantle length. >i \0rni tho fieu thi foveu 1,1 Illex tentacular club antillavum funnel groove GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western Atlantic from mid-Atlantic States (Chesapeake Bight), Florida Current and southeastern Gulf of Mexico; in the eastern Atlantic, a single record from the Gulf of Guinea. A neritic species taken from 50 Co 550 m in boctom trawls at temperatures of 6? to I3?C; associated with the bottom during the day and disperses into the water column at night. Spawning grounds, season, eggs and larvae are unknown at present. Food un- known, but presumed to be crustaceans and fishe PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Presently not fished in Area 31 ; abundance and distribution currently unknown; when concentra- tions are found, the species would be of commercial use because of its close resemblance to the other currently utilized species of Illex: I. illecebrosus and I. eoindetii. OMMAS Ommas 2 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: OMMASTREPHIDAE Ommastrephes bartrami (LeSueur, 182]) 1977 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: The occasional use of the generic name Sthenoteuthis is entirely unjustified and incorrect, and it should be avoided VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Flying squid Fr - Encornet volant .Sp - Pota saltadora NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle muscular, robustt not drawn out post- eriorly into a pointed tail; a long golden or silvery stripe along the ventral midline from mantle opening to level of fin-insertion (this stripe probably is a luminescent organ); similar* golden tissue on ventral surfaces of head and ventral (fourth) arms; numerous, closely-packed, small, very irregularly shaped, often inter- connected, light organs embedded under the skin in muscle of mantle ventrally; similar light organs occur in patches on ventral surface of head; 4 to 6 small suckers on the tentacular stalk proximal to the first smooth knob of the fixing apparatus. Colour: deep maroon overall, slightly lighter ventrally, darker along dorsal midline of mantle. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Ommastrephes pteivpus: a large, oval light-organ patch composed of numerous, densely-packed granules on antero-dorsal mantle just under the skin (no dorsal light organ patch in 0. bartrami); numerous small granular, individual light organs in ventral muscles of mantle, head and fourth arms (many irregularly shaped, often interconnected, light organs in 0. bartrami); 0 to 2 small suckers on ten- tacular stalk proximal to first smooth knob of fixing apparatua (4 to 6 in 0. bartrami). ventral view base of tentacular club 0. pteropus Ornithoteuthia antillarum: mantle drawn out posteriorly into a long, pointed tail (no tail in 0. bartrami); foveola in funnel groove with 7 to 12 folds, 0 side pockets (5 to 9 folds in foveola and I to 5 side pockets on each side in Ommastrephes). Illex species: tip of tentacular club (dactylus) with 8 rows of small suckers (only 4 rows in Ormiastrephes); no foveola or side pockets in funnel groove (foveola and side pockets present in Onmaatrephea).' Hyaloteuthig pelagiaa: mantle with 19 round light organs on ventral surface; .4 round light organs in integument along ventral surface of each ventral arm (no round integumentary light organs in 0. bartrami). SIZE: Maximum: females 50 cm mantle length, males somewhat smaller. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Western North Atlantic, in tropical and temperate waters, but the distribu- tional limits are unknown. Also in North and South Transition Zones in the Pacific and in the southern Indian Ocean. Apparently similar to 0. pteropua in its oceanic habitat and in behaviour; at night it occurs near the surface and is dispersed throughout the water column to about I 500 m both day and night. A very powerful swimmer, 0. bartvomi has been observed during daytime to leap from the water and glide for some distance over the surface, thus receiving the nape "flying squid". It occurs in schools of similarly-sized animals that congregate around a night light; as the size of individuals increases, their number in the school decreases; very large individuals around 50 cm mantle length apparently are solitary. Spawning areas and seasons are unknown; up to several thousand eggs are laid in a sausage-shaped, gelatinous, mass that floats at or near the surface; larvae can be very numerous but identification to species is very difficult in Onmaatrephea. The flying squid feeds on small oceanic fishes and reportedly is cannibalistic. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: foveola 0rnithoteuthi3 cmtillarum dorsal view of mantle and fins funnel groove Ommastrephes distal end of tentacular club fiyaloteuthia. pelagiaa ventral view Currently not fished commercially in Area 31 data on actual stock size are available. While the species appears to be very abundant, no CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Readily captured on squid jigs, so jigging machines used at night wit n should be effective and more efficient than hand-jigging or dip-nett Flesh of excellent quality for human consumption, either fresh or frozen h electric lamps in the open ocean ing. OMMAS Ommas 3 1977 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: OMMASTREPHIDAE Ommastrephes pteropus Steenstrup, 1855 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: The occasional use of the generic designation Stenoteuthis is entirely unjustified and incorrect, and it should be avoided VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Orangeback squid Fr ~ Encornet dos orange SP ~ Pota naranja NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle muscular, robust, not drawn out posteriorly into a pointed tail; a large, oval patch on the antero-dorsal part of the mantle Just beneath the 3kin consisting of numerous densely packed, small light organs; small, individual scattered light organs (like Bhort grains of rice) embedded in muscle of ventral surface of mantle^ head and fourth arms; 0 to 2 small suckers on the tentacular stalk proximal to the first smooth knob of the fixing apparatus. Colour: very dark maroon overall, slightly lighter ven- trally; dorsal mid line darkest DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Ommastrephes bartrami: a Long, golden or silvery stripe along ventral mid- line of mantle (no ventral luminescent stripe in 0. pteropus); numerous, irregularly shaped, often interconnected, light organs under the skin in the muscle of the mantle (fewer, granular indivi- dual light organs in 0. pteropus) 4 to 6 small suckers on tentacular stalk proximal to first smooth knob of fixing apparatus (0 to 2 suckers in 0. pteropus). 0. bar tram ventral view of mantle dorsal view 10 cm Ornzthoteuthia antillarum: mantle drawn out posteriorly into a long, pointed tail (no tail in 0, pteropus); foveola in funnel groove with 7 to 12 folds, 0 side pockets (5 to 9 folds in foveola and I to 5 side pockets on each side in Ommas tTeph.es ). Illex species: tip of tentacular club (dactylus) with 8 rows of small suckers (only 4 rows in Onmxstrephas); no foveola or side pockets in funnel groove (foveola and side pockets present in Orrmastvephes) . Hyaloteuthis pelagvca: mantle with 19 round light organs on ventral surface; 4 round light organs in integument along ventral surface of each ventral arm (no round integumentary light organs in 0. pteropus). SIZE: foveola Maximum: females 37 cm mantle length, somewhat smaller. Ommastrephes distal end of tentacular club Hyaloteuthis pelagica ventral view GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Pan-Atlantic in tropical and temperate waters; limits of distribution unknown. This very abundant, strong-swimming near-surface, oceanic squid congregates at at night light where it can be dip-netted. It is a dominant species at the surface during dark (moonless) nights, but is distributed over a broad vertical range day and night to about 1 500 m; during periods of bright moonlight or rough seas it does not appear at the surface. With such extensive vertical and geographic ranges, the species tolerates a broad range of temperature conditions. When at the sur- face, it forms schools of up to about 50 similarly-sized individuals, the size of the school diminishing with increased size of individuals. The vernacular name, orangeback squid, derives from the "orangish" luminescent glow emitted by the dorsal patch of light organs. Extent and location of spawning areas are unknown; eggs are laid in large, gela- tinous, sausage-shaped masses that float at or near the surface of the sea and con- tain up to several hundred thousand embryos. Larvae occur in great abundance in the upper water layer. The species is an active predator that preys on fishes, cephalopoda, and crustaceans. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Currently not fished commercially in Area 31. Although 0* pteropus is considered to be very abundant, no assessment of actual population size has been made. CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Fishing techniques would be jigging machine, hand jigs and dip-net at night using lights for attraction. Currently used in Madeira (locally) for fish bait and human consumption. THYSANO Thysano 1 PAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: THYSANOTEUTHIDAE 1977 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1357 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Rhomboid squid Fr - Chipiloua Sp - Chipiron volant in NATIONAL! DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: 12 era Mantle thick, powerful, tapering to a blunt tip posteriorly; fins long, broad, rhombic (0 ) occupying entire length of mantle; mantle-funnel locking apparatus ?\ -shaped; arms with 2 rows of suckers; tentacular clubs with 4 rows of suckers; buccal connectives attached to ventral borders of fourth arms. Colour: deep maroon overall, darker dorsally. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Sepioteuthis sepioidea: eye covered with clear corneal membrane (eye open to the sea, no covering of skin in T. rhombus); funnel locking-apparatus a straight ridge and groove (-(-shaped in T. rhombus); fins elliptical in outline (fins rhombic in outline in T. rhombus). Other oceanic squids: fins never as long as mantle except in Ctenopterygidae andCycLo- teuthidae (both without species of interest to fisheries). SIZE: Maximum: 100 cm mantle length; common to 60 cm mantle length. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Cosmopolitan in warm water, latitudinal limits unknown, although it undoubtedly occurs throughout most of Area 31. Little is known about the biology of this pelagic species; it is clearly oceanic, but in the Japan Sea it migrates to near- shore waters in fall and early winter where it is fished with set nets; catches*are greater at night but do occur during the day; young and larvae are taken only in open ocean in near-surface waters; adults known from strandings and predators' stomachs (sperm whale, blue marl in). PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Not fished in Area 31. Abundance un- assessed. 3Lm * le ' -|-shaped straight ' r Sepioteuthis Thyaanoteuthis funnel-Locking apparatus Sepioteuthis sepioidea CATCHES, MAIN FISHING GEAR AND PRINCIPAL FORMS OF UTILIZATION: No statistics available. Captured in Japan with setnets. Eaten regularly in Japan. i-\\o spccn-s i DI:\Ti r rc;A 11ox SIIHUTS '[?H?!SANl>TEUTil IDiVli lUiomh.uJ -fqul.l* I TIIYS.Wil 19: I IS!! INC. \\U ,\ ."1 C\' . L-iic, Ac Uiiu i. 1 A single species in the ;irea; see species sheet for: TliusancU-iitkia r'armlmr. TroschiU THYSANO Thysano I Prepared by C.F.E. Roper, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A. FAO SPF.CIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS OMMAS Orni 1 1077 FAMILY: OMMASTREPHIDAE Orni tho teuthis antillarum Adam, 1957 FISHING AREA 31 (W Cent. Atlantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Bird squid Fr - Encornet oiseau Sp - PoCa pajara NATIONAL: DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Mantle muscular, narrow, drawn out Dosteriorly into a long pointed tail; funnel