Stauroteuthis
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Stauroteuthis is a genus of deepwater cirrate octopus, a cephalopod mollusk. This is the only genus in the family Stauroteuthidae, and only three species have been described in this genus.
The organisms live below Template:Convert water depth; although sometimes found as deep as Template:Convert underwater, they generally live at a water depth of around Template:Convert.<ref name=revision>Template:Cite journal</ref> They do not possess a radula.<ref name=revision />
The stauroteuthids have the distinction of being one of the few bioluminescent octopuses; some of the muscle cells that control the suckers in most species have been replaced with photophores which are believed to fool prey by directing them towards the mouth.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
SpeciesEdit
- Stauroteuthis gilchristi (Robson, 1924): Known from two localities in the south Atlantic, and other southern ocean locations (Macquarie Island, and Kerguelen).<ref name=revision /><ref>Stauroteuthis gilchristi. Tree of Life web project.</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Stauroteuthis syrtensis Verrill, 1879: Widespread in the North Atlantic.<ref>Stauroteuthis syrtensis. Tree of Life web project.</ref> The population size of S. syrtensis is unknown.<ref>Stauroteuthis syrtensis Verrill, 1879. Encyclopedia of Life.</ref>
- Stauroteuthis kengrahami Verhoeff, 2023: Known from a single specimen off eastern Australia.<ref name=":0" />