Big bottom bobtail squid
Scientific name: Austrorossia australis
Alternative name/s:
Big bottom bobtail squid
Big bottom bobtail squid
Bobtail squids are small spherical squids with eight short arms, a pair of retractile feeding tentacles and pair of rounded fins on either side of the body. Members of this genus lack the light organ found in many other bobtail squid species.
Identification
Uniform pinkish to purplish brown. Dorsal mantle is free and not fused to head, and fins are wide and short. Ink sac is present.
Habitat
Bottom living species, found on sandy and muddy substrates at a depth from 131 to 665m.
Distribution
Eastern and southern Australia, from north Queensland to Great Australian Bight.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The female lays eggs in small clusters and leaves unattended to hatch. Females may spawn several times in a year.
References
- Jereb, P., & C.F.E Roper (eds) (2005) Cephalopods of the World: Chambered Nautiluses and Sepioids, Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Catalogue for Fishery Purposes, Rome, No. 4, Vol. 1
- Norman, M., (2000) Cephalopods- A World Guide, ConchBooks, Germany (Hackenheim)
