Sepia tuberculata

Sepia tuberculata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Sepiida
Family: Sepiidae
Genus: Sepia
Subgenus: Sepia
Species: S. tuberculata
Binomial name
Sepia tuberculata
Lamarck, 1798

Sepia tuberculata is a species of cuttlefish native to South African waters from Melkbosstrand (33°43′S 18°26′E / 33.717°S 18.433°E / -33.717; 18.433) to Knysna (34°03′S 23°03′E / 34.050°S 23.050°E / -34.050; 23.050). It lives in very shallow water to a depth of 3 m.[1] It is endemic.

The type specimen was collected off the coast of South Africa and is deposited at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris.[2]

Description

Sepia tuberculata grows to a mantle length of 82 mm.[1] The upper surface of the body is rough with variably extending bumps. The lower body surface has two glandular patches. Like all cuttlefish, this species has ten arms, of which two are elongated tentacles used for catching prey. It has narrow fins which extend the length of the body.[3]

Ecology

S. tuberculata is capable of changing colour rapidly. It feeds on shrimps. It uses its glandular patches to cling to rocks.

References

  1. 1 2 Reid, A., P. Jereb, & C.F.E. Roper 2005. Family Sepiidae. In: P. Jereb & C.F.E. Roper, eds. Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 1. Chambered nautiluses and sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae). FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4, Vol. 1. Rome, FAO. pp. 57–152.
  2. Current Classification of Recent Cephalopoda
  3. Roeleveld, M.A. 1972. A review of the Sepiidae (Cephalopoda) of southern Africa. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 59(10): 193–313.

External links

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