NEW RECORDS OF OCTOPOTEUTHIS SICULA RÜPPELL, 1844  (CEPHALOPODA: OCTOPOTEUTHIDAE) IN THE SICILIAN WATERS  (CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN SEA)

Daniela Giordano; Paola Rinelli; Anna Perdichizzi; Adriana Profeta; Antonino Titone; Daniela Massi

Daniela Giordano Istituto per le Risorse Biologiche e le Biotecnologie Marine (IRBIM-CNR)
Paola Rinelli Istituto per le Risorse Biologiche e le Biotecnologie Marine (IRBIM-CNR)
Anna Perdichizzi
Adriana Profeta CNR_IRBIM
Antonino Titone
Daniela Massi

Keywords: Octopus squid, Octopoteuthis sicula, Morphology, Sicilian waters, Mediterranean distribution

Abstract

Four specimens of the rare octopus squid Octopoteuthis sicula Rüppell, 1844, were caught in
the Sicilian waters (one in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea and three in the Strait of Sicily). Main morphological
characteristics and morphometric measurements of the specimens were reported. An updated map of the
species distribution in the Mediterranean was also given.