BATHYPELAGIC SQUID BATHYTEUTHIS 49 



The radula lias seven transverse rows of pointed teeth and two rows 

 of marginal phites (pi. 8e). The rhachidian lias a broad, low base 

 and the median cusp is relatively short, triangvdar, and bluntly 

 pointed. No secondary (lateral) cusps occur on the rhachidian, but 

 the concave borders of the tooth are occasionally interrupted with 

 small, ragged protuberances. The first lateral has a long, low base and 

 a moderately long, pointed cusp. The second lateral has a long, shai'ply 

 pointed, crescent-shaped cusp. The third lateral has a Aery long, slen- 

 der, scythe-shaped cusp. The marginal plates vary considerably in 

 shape but are generally iri'egularly rectangular. 



The rhachis of the gladius is long and slender (pi. To). The anterior 

 tip is thin and weak, but almost immediately the lateral edges are 

 rolled under to form strong, heavy rods that extend posteriorly nearly 

 the entire length of the gladius. The rods taper gradually along the 

 vane and terminate just anterior to the end of the gladius. The 

 rhachis is free for more than half the length of the gladius. No median 

 ridge or rod occurs. The vane is very thin, weak, and fragile, almost 

 membranous. From its origin at the rhachis the vane broadens and 

 becomes wide posteriorly, teraninating suddenly in a very blunt, 

 rounded, weak tip. No conus exists. 



The entire animal is maroon colored. The pigmentation is darker 

 on larger specimens, particularly in the region of the head and arms; 

 there the color may mask the photophores. On younger, paler speci- 

 mens, however, the photophores are readily seen. The tentacles alone 

 lack pigmentation. 



Spermatophores from the only mature male available (28 mm ML) 

 are 3.8-4.4 mm in length (pi. 12 g,ii). The sperm mass is 63-66% of 

 the total length of the spermatophore, the cement body is 17-20% and 

 the ejaculatory apparatus is 15-20%. The cement body is cigar-shaped 

 and elongate with a slightly flaring lip anteriorly. The base of the 

 ejaculatory apparatus is barrel -shaped. 



No hectocotylus is present. 



HoLOTYPE. — United States National Museum, number 576148. 



Tyte locality.— Off northern Peru at 07°47'S 81°23'W. IJSNS 

 Eltanin Sta. 34, 683 m, 7 June 1962. 



Distribution. — Bathypelagic in the productive waters of Eastern 

 Pacific Equatorial Water Mass and possibly in the Indian Ocean Equa- 

 torial Water Mass (based on Chun's [1910] single specimen). 



Etymolooy. — The specific name hacidifera is a. neo-Latin word 

 meaning "bearing little rods'' ; this is derived from the old Latin hacu- 

 lum^ a staff, stick or rod, the diminutive -idium^ and -/er, a suffix mean- 

 ing bear, carry. The name alludes to the outstanding characteristic of 

 the species, the rodlike trabeculae. 



