New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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The giant octopus Haliphron atlanticus (Mollusca: Octopoda) in New Zealand waters

Steve O’Shea

Department of Earth and Oceanic Sciences
Auckland University of Technology
Private Bag 92 006
Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract  Haliphron atlanticus Steenstrup, 1861 (= Alloposus mollis Verrill, 1880) is reported from New Zealand waters on the basis of a single specimen of giant proportions caught recently by fisheries trawl off the eastern Chatham Rise. This specimen, possibly the largest known of this species and of all octopods, proves to be the first validated record of Haliphron from the South Pacific. Although extensively damaged, details of its morphology and anatomy are described.

Keywords  Mollusca; Octopoda; Haliphron atlanticus; Alloposidae; New Zealand

Z02025; Online publication date 4 March 2004; Received 22 August 2002; accepted 2 May 2003
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2004, Vol. 31: 7-13
0301-4223/04/3101-0007 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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