Opisthoteuthis meroSteve O'Shea, Richard E. Young, and Michael
Vecchione O. mero is known from over 100 specimens. It appears
to be the most common species of the genus in New Zealand
waters. - Arms formula variable, arms IV usually shortest. -
Arms I in males without increased robustness. - Suckers slightly
larger in males (4.3-8.6% of ML) than in females (4.6-7.55% of
ML). - Males with only proximal field with greatly enlarged
suckers. - Suckers of proximal field slightly but abruptly
enlarged; distal field virtually absent. Suckers 1-3 moderate in
size, suckers 4 to 9-12 greatly enlarged, distally suckers
decrease gradually but slightly to level of web, terminal 15-25
suckers decrease rapidly in size. [All arms apparently similar.]
- Up to 71 suckers on each arm. - Web nodules not described. -
Cirrus length 4-10% of ML or 0.6-1.2 times maximum sucker
diameter. - First cirri between suckers 1 and 2. Figure. Oral
views of a female, 57 mm ML, and male, 54 mm ML O. mero.
Drawings from O'Shea, 1999. The above d