Animal Species:Purpleback Flying Squid – Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis (Lesson, 1830)
This squid has a wide distribution throughout the entire Pacific and Indian oceans. Harvested in Okinawa and Taiwan to be used as bait.
Alternative Name/s
Yellow-backed Squid
Identification
The Purpleback Flying Squid can be recognised by a large yellow light organ under the skin in animals >10cm body length. The lower edge of the body is permanently fused to the funnel.
Size range
Body to 35 cm.
Habitat
Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis lives in open waters from the surface of the ocean down to depths of around 1,000m.
Other behaviours and adaptations
This species appears to rise to shallower waters at night to feed.
Classification
- Species:
- oualaniensis
- Genus:
- Sthenoteuthis
- Family:
- Ommastrephidae
- Order:
- Teuthida
- Subclass:
- Coleoidea
- Class:
- Cephalopoda
- Phylum:
- Mollusca
References
Norman, M., (2000) Cephalopods- A World Guide, ConchBooks, Germany (Hackenheim)
Roper, C.F.E., M.J. Sweeney & C.E. Nauen, (1984) FAO species catalogue. Vol. 3. Cephalopods of the World: An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries, FAO Fish Synopsis, 125(3): 1-277.
Allison Runck
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