Ameloctopus litoralis, gen. et sp. nov. (cephalopoda: Octopodidae), a new shallow-water octopus from tropical australian waters

Abstract

A new genus of octopus is described from northern Australian waters. Ameloctopus litoralis, gen. et sp. nov., is a shallow-water octopus characterised by the absence of an ink sac, vestigial funnel organ, terminal organ without a diverticulum, marked elongation of the arms and arm autotomy. It is found across northern Australia from southern Queensland to north-west Western Australia, primarily on coastal mudflats and intertidal reefs. This species occupies lairs in shallow and intertidal coastal habitats, feeding by extending arms from the safety of the lair or by foraging at night during low tides, over open sand, mud and rubble. A. litoralis lays large eggs, indicating that hatchlings are..