Octopoteuthis deletron
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| Octopoteuthis deletron | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Oegopsida |
| Family: | Octopoteuthidae |
| Genus: | Octopoteuthis |
| Species: | O. deletron |
| Binomial name | |
| Octopoteuthis deletron | |
Octopoteuthis deletron is a species of squid in the genus Octopoteuthis of the family Octopoteuthidae. They belong to the pelagic squids of order Oegopsida. Found at depths of 400 to 800 m (1,300 to 2,600 ft) in the Pacific Ocean, they have been known to grow to 24 cm (9.4 in).
Trophic ecology
This species is described as an inactive predator, having a lower metabolism and relying on ambush,[3][4] though members of this genus are higher in trophic level than glass squids and active hunters like Todaropsis eblanae.[5]
O. deletron has been found to break off its arms as a defense strategy. The squid digs hooks in one of its arms into a predator and jets away, leaving the arm in the predator's skin.[6]
O. deletron are the most common species found in the stomachs of northern elephant seals sampled off the coast of California.[7] It is an important prey item of the giant grenadier.[8] It is also eaten by the enigmatic Perrin's beaked whale (Mesoplodon perrini).[6]
