Benthoctopus Grimpe, 1921

Strugnell, Jan, Voight, Janet R., Collins, Patrick C. & Allcock, A. Louise, 2009, Molecular phylogenetic analysis of a known and a new hydrothermal vent octopod: their relationships with the genus Benthoctopus (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae), Zootaxa 2096 (1), pp. 442-459 : 446

Benthoctopus Grimpe

Emended diagnosis. Deepwater incirrate octopodids. Arms 1.5–4 times ML. Suckers biserial. Ligula slightly to moderately excavated with indistinct midrib, smooth or bearing low, often indistinct rugae, never laminate. Crop present, usually with diverticulum. Ink sac absent, anal flaps absent. Radula with multicuspid rachidian.

Type species: Octopus piscatorum Verrill, 1879. By original designation.

Remarks. Octopus piscatorum was designated a junior synonym of Bathypolypus bairdii by Muus (2002) and the genus Benthoctopus is currently invalid. We continue to use the name as an interim measure because this large group of rarely acquired and potentially highly diverse species requires further attention before nomenclatural acts are made, to ensure that such acts provide nomenclatural stability rather than create additional uncertainty.