Field and Laboratory Behavior of "macrotritopus Larvae" Reared to Octopus Defilippi Ver an Y, 1851 (mollusca : Cephalopoda)
Year: 1985
Type: article
Abstract: Seventeen advanced macrotritopus “larvae” from 7 to 15 mm mantle length were attracted to underwater lights in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Their behavior was observed in situ, then seven were captured alive and one female was reared to an adult Octopus defilippi. The characteristic long arms of the planktonic \nyoung appear to function in flotation, feeding, crawling and defense. There is evidence that larger macrotritopus may be planktonic by night and benthic by day; thus the transition from a planktonic to benthic life may be controlled to ensure widespread \ndistribution on to a suitable habitat. Morphological examination of 106 specimens \nfrom the Atlantic indicate that all macrotritopus “larvae” from this ocean are O. \ndefilippi.
Authors: Hanlon, R, T, Forsythe, J, W, von Boletzky, S
Institution: Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2502412878