Benthoctopus sp. A

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 : 447

Benthoctopus sp. A

Material examined: Benthoctopus sp. A : * FMNH 278117 , RV Wecoma, 42°45'N 126°43'W (off Oregon coast), Stn 3, 17 April 1997, 2850 m, female, leg. & det. JR Voight. * FMNH 308674 , RV Atlantis HOV Alvin , (near Wuzza Bear Mount), Alvin Dive 4046, 3 September 2004, 2656 m, female, leg. TA Haney, det. JR Voight.

Diagnosis. Arms 1.5–2.5 times ML. Arm formula typically 1≥2≥3≥4 but differences in arms lengths only 5 mm. Funnel organ W-shaped. Gills with 6 + lamellae per demibranch. Male characters unknown. Integument smooth.

Remarks. Known from Cascadia Abyssal Plain. Strong reverse counter-shading apparent. The only other putative species of Benthoctopus known to have 6 gill lamellae per demibranch is B. profundorum Robson but this has arms 3–4 times ML and can therefore be discounted.