Vampyroteuthis infernalis

ORDER

Vampyromorpha

FAMILY

Vampyroteuthidae

TAXONOMY

Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun, 1903.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

French: Vampire des enfers; German: Vampir-Tintenfisch.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Has retractile filaments extending from pockets between the dorsal and dorsolateral arms. Fins present. Large circular, lidded photophores present behind each adult fin ("fin-base" organs); numerous small photophores distributed over the lower surfaces of mantle, funnel, head and the aboral surface of the arms and web ("skin-nodule" organs). A gladius, or internal remnant of an original external shell, is present with a broad median field and conus (cup-shaped tip). Cirri are present over the entire length of the arm; suckers lack a cuticular lining and are present only on the outer half of arms.

DISTRIBUTION

Found throughout tropical and temperate oceans.

HABITAT

Meso to bathypelagic depths, generally 1,965–4,920 ft (600–1,500 m).

BEHAVIOR

Can swim surprisingly fast for a gelatinous animal. Arms are sometimes spread forward to form, along with the web, an umbrella-like or bell-shaped posture. Filaments appear to be tactile sense organs. Uses combinations of photophores for complex luminescent displays.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Poorly understood; diet includes gelatinous megaplankton.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

No hectocotylus. Early development passes through stages with (1) a single pair of larval fins; (2) two pairs of fins, larval plus adult; and (3) a single pair of adult fins.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not listed by the IUCN. Only a single extant species has been described in this order.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Frequently featured in natural-history television programs.