the southern tamandua ( tamandua tetradactyla ) , also called the collared anteater or lesser anteater , is a species of anteater from south america .

it is a solitary animal , found in many habitats from mature to highly disturbed secondary forests and arid savannas .

it feeds on ants , termites , and bees .

its very strong fore claws can be used to break insect nests or to defend itself .

southern tamandua

habitat southern tamanduas can be found in south america . subspecies there are four subspecies of the southern tamandua : tamandua tetradactyla nigra tamandua tetradactyla quichua tamandua tetradactyla straminea tamandua tetradactyla tetradactyla interesting facts the southern tamandua is also known as : collard anteater lesser anteater similar animals silky anteater giant anteater northern tamandua
the southern tamandua hardly makes sounds unless it is threatened or indulges in a fight .
the southern tamandua has a 40 cm long tongue but doesn ' t possess any teeth .
the southern tamandua has a 40 cm long tongue but doesnt possess any teeth .
besides the above - mentioned subspecies , the southern tamandua has a northern relative called northern tamandua that occupies the areas of southern mexico , central america and the northern andes . its scientific name is tamandua mexicana and thus belongs to the same genus as the southern tamandua . regarding their appearance , the southern and northern tamandua are quite similar except for the distinction of the edges of the vests that appears to be sharply distinct in the northern tamaduas but somewhat blurry in its southern counterpart .
please work with the tamandua ssp studbook keeper first for captive bred tamandua acquisition .
least concern : the southern tamandua is common or abundant and is likely to survive in the wild .
the southern tamandua feeds mainly on ants and termites and spends almost 60 % of their time in trees .
sometimes sustainability requires a shift in perspective among zookeepers , as it did with efforts related to the southern tamandua .
the southern tamandua has a long prehensile tail that is used almost like a fifth limb during standing and climbing trees .
also known as lesser anteater , the southern tamandua has a 40 cm long tongue but doesn ' t possess any teeth .
the species of southern tamandua locates its prey with the help of smell as it has very poor eyesight but extremely sensitive nose .
the tamandua ( lesser anteater ) is native to south america east of the andes and south to southern brazil , northern argentina and uruguay .
tamandua mexicana ranges from southern mexico in the north of its range , through central america as far south as northwestern peru and northwestern venezuela .
despite the poor vision and hearing , the southern tamandua has a highly - developed sense of smell , allowing the animal to find food .
tamandua tetradactyla straminea this anteater was first identified in 1889 and its location mainly includes the southern part of brazil , argentina , bolivia and paraguay .
carely , alan . tamandua anteater . ( tamandua anteater ( tamandua mexicana ) . n . d . photograph . pr science , belize . web . 27 may 2013 . < urltoken > .
living in the southern part of the new world . in other words , central and south america .
a tamandua tale - the tamandua forages both on the ground and in the trees , using its prehensile tail to aid in gripping branches .
the northern and southern tamandua anteaters are relatively the same , but located in different regions of the world . the northern tamandua can be found throughout tropical regions of central america , whereas the southern tamandua can be found in south america . these anteaters are often called the “lesser anteater , ” or “collared anteater , ” due to its strong black markings from the shoulder to its rump . the portions of the tamandua’s body that aren’t covered by this trademark vest can be colorations including black , brown or blonde .
native to south america , the southern tamandua is a species of anteater that is mostly seen in forests and grasslands . the word ‘tamandua’ roughly translates into ‘insect eater’ which hints at the primary diet of this animal . it is medium sized and smaller than its closest relative , the giant anteater , due to which it is nicknamed as lesser anteater . the southern tamandua is also known as collared anteater in some places and is found in large numbers in venezuela , trinidad , northern argentina , uruguay and southern brazil at elevations up to 2000 meters .
standard chain - link has been used with adult tamandua , but should not be used for any newborn / juvenile tamandua as the holes are too large . newborn tamandua can fit through the links and juveniles may get limbs stuck .
southern tamanduas move their extremely sticky tongue as fast as 150 times per minute , ingesting larvae and cocoons .
which is found in the temperate rainforests and grasslands of central and south america and are considerably larger than the southern tamandua . additionally , the silky anteater of the genus cyclopes is another species of anteaters that has a close relation with the southern tamandua . it is arboreal in nature and is the smallest of all anteaters with a body that is almost equal to the size of an adult squirrel .
a tamandua baby uses its claws to hold onto its mother ' s back .
the northern tamandua inhabits many different habitats , from deciduous and evergreen forest to mangroves and swamps . they are found in the forests from southern mexico , through central america to northern venezuela and northern peru .
according to iucn , the southern tamandua is relatively common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available . currently , this species is classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list .
this anteater is endemic to south america , occurring from venezuela and trinidad to northern argentina , southern brazil , and uruguay . the preferred habitats of the southern tamandua are both wet and dry forests such as tropical rainforest , savanna , and thorn scrub . this animal is most often found in areas near streams and rivers , dominated by vines and epiphytes .
tamandua mexicana are solitary mammals and have a strong odor . the odor signals the tamandua’s presence which sends animals retreating in the opposite direction . when they are attacked the tamandua hisses at the predator and releases an odor from a gland at the base of its tail .
the two anteaters of the genus tamandua , the southern tamandua ( t . tetradactyla ) and the northern tamandua ( t . mexicana ) , are much smaller than the giant anteater , only about 3 feet ( 90 cm ) long . the usual color is yellowish white , with a broad black lateral band , covering nearly the whole of the side of the body . each anteater has short hair .
the tamandua can be held by the tail if needed , a harness is not really necessary .
harrold , andria .
animal diversity web .
tamandua mexicana , northern tamandua . university of michigan museum of zoology , 22 may , 2013 . web . 27 may 2013 . < urltoken > .
unknown , .
inaturalist . org .
northern tamandua ( tamandua mexicana ) . catalogue of life - 2012 annual checklist , n . d . web . 27 may 2013 . < urltoken > .
the exact number of southern tamanduas that resides in the wild habitats of south america is not known but this species is listed in the category of least concern on the iucn’s red list of threatened species . although they are widespread , southern tamanduas are pretty uncommon and are not found anywhere else except the wild forests of south america .
, beginning with a pair of northern tamanduas in 1932 . we have had one tamandua birth , in 1998 .
one tamandua ' s stomach was found to contain more than 1 pound ( 0 . 45 kilograms ) of ants .
the tamandua inhabits a wide variety of habitats , from dry forest and tropical rainforest , to savannah and thorn scrub .
for an indoor tamandua a cat tree would be good . mine does enjoy the cat condo from time to time .
the southern tamandua is an insectivore , the diet of this species mainly consists of ant and termites , supplemented with honey and bees . individuals in captivity may consume fruit and meat . meanwhile , these animals generally avoid feeding on army ants and leaf - eating ants , which are equipped with strong chemical defenses .
the tamandua ' s powerful forearms and claws can also be used for defense . if it feels threatened while in a tree , the tamandua holds onto a branch with its hind feet and tail so its arms and long claws are free to fight .
the oldest fossil records of southern tamandua date back to the pleistocene epoch of south america . their genetic evidence hints that the present form of the tamanduas may have evolved from their larger relative , the giant anteater , from which they might have diverged almost 12 . 9 million years ago at the end of the miocene period .
northern tamandua populations are not currently considered at risk . however , populations throughout most of their range may be impacted by habitat destruction .
the names longicaudata , nigra , opisthomelas , and tamandua , cannot be assigned to subspecies with certainty because their type localities are too general .
boxes and cardboard tubes can be stuffed with paper ( newspaper , tissue , shredded ) for tamandua to tear apart to forage for worms .
this anteater lacks teeth . however , it possesses a very long , cylindrical tongue of 40 cm , which helps the tamandua when feeding .
brown , danielle .
fruit - eating an obligate insectivore : palm fruit consumption in wild northern tamandua ( tamandua mexicana ) in panama .
anteater , sloth , and armadillo specialist group . 12 . ( 2011 ) : 63 - 65 . web . 29 may . 2013 .
references 1 . formulating diets for tamandua , a . ward , s . crissy , k . cassaro , e . frank 2 . nutrition of the tamandua , s oyarzun , g . crawshaw , and e . valdes 3 . health survey , s . morford and m . meyers .
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several potential predators—jaguars and smaller cats like the margay—would love to make a meal out of a tamandua if it weren ' t so stinky ! the bad smell lets other animals know where the tamandua is and usually sends them in the opposite direction . if a predator does get too close , the tamandua may hiss and then release a very unpleasant odor , similar to a skunk ' s , from a gland at the base of its tail .
recently there are two subspecies available and evidence suggests they are actually two different species . the dark black vested from paraguay and the light to non vested ones from guyana . tamandua tetradactyla longicaudata ( tamandua longicaudata ) is the kind i have and they are of the blond variety with no vest . the ones from paraguay are shunned by all longicaudata . the long tailed actually do have longer tails and longer noses as reported by one facility that has a large number of each and checked . this very much indicates the long tails ( blonds ) as very much tamandua longicaudata and not tamandua tetradactyla .
also called the lesser anteater , the tamandua uses its long snout to sniff out ant , termite and bee colonies . long claws enable it to dig into nests , and a long sticky tongue licks up the insects . a single tamandua can eat up to 9 , 000 ants in a single day !
reid park zoo has been very successful using tamanduas as animal ambassadors and for breeding . a tamandua and her pup can be trained to do presentations together .
the southern tamandua has no teeth but has a disproportionately long snout along with a rounded tongue . they can stick out their narrow tongue up to a length of 40 cm . the entire length of the tongue is coated with a pasty , sticky saliva and is covered with tiny posteriorly directed spines . this anteater has five fingers out of which three have large claws that can be as long as 16 inches .
tamandua females carry , protect , and nurse their young until they are weaned . young tamanduas also remain with their mother until they have reached about one year old .
when they eat , they noisily rip and tear insect nests and rotten wood apart . at night , sounds of tearing wood will often lead to a northern tamandua .
southern tamanduas are pale yellow and look like they are wearing a black vest around the shoulders , chest , sides , and lower back . they weigh 6 . 5 to 15 pounds and their bodies are 18 . 5 to 30 inches long , with a tail nearly as long as the body . the tamandua’s tail is prehensile , like the prehensile - tailed porcupine and the black howler monkey . a prehensile tail serves as another arm , allowing the animal to grasp branches with it . the tamandua has a long snout , though not as long as that of the giant anteater .
“they are such stellar ambassadors , they are often taken out to classrooms , ” said harrison edell the senior director of living collections at the dallas zoo in dallas , texas and the ciconiiformes and phoenicopteriformes tag chair and southern tamandua ssp coordinator . when two thirds of the population were comprised of solo animals for educational outreach , with only one third having the opportunity to breed , edell encouraged colleagues to change their approach .
tamandua tetradactyla nigra identified in 1803 by the french naturalist geoffroy , this subspecies is widely distributed in colombia , venezuela , trinidad and the regions of guiana and northern brazil .
tamandua tetradactyla quiche the t . t . quiche was first identified in 1927 by a british zoologist and is found in extreme western parts of brazil , peru and ecuador .
tamandua mexicana lack teeth , as a result , their stomach is divided into portions . similar to birds , their stomach has a muscular gizzard to break down the food .
unknown , .
san diego zoo : zoonooz .
mammals : tamandua or lesser anteater . san diego zoo . web . 27 may 2013 . < urltoken > .
to cite this page : harrold , a . 2007 .
tamandua mexicana
( on - line ) , animal diversity web . accessed july 09 , 2018 at urltoken
if a predator gets too close , a tamandua may hiss and then release a very unpleasant odor from a gland at the base of its tail , similar to a skunk’s .
at the san diego zoo and san diego zoo safari park , the tamandua is fed a high - protein powder mixed with water , as well as honey and fruit as treats .
southern tamanduas can be found in south america . they like to live in thorn scrub , dry forest and rain forest areas . near a river or stream is where they would most likely be found . they are great climbers , so they live in places with trees .
southern tamanduas are between 21 and 31 . 5 inches ( 53 . 5 to 80 centimeters ) in length , with an additional 15 to 23 inch ( 40 to 59 millimeters ) long prehensile tail . this species typically weighs around 10 pounds ( 4 . 5 kilograms ) .
the tamandua mexicana’s specialized mouth and tongue allow them to eat ants and termites . since they live an arboreal lifestyle they detect their prey by scent . the nests of ants and termites are ripped open with their powerful claws . tamandua’s have developed away to detect ants that produce chemical toxins , like the leaf cutter ants . they also have the ability to distinguish a termite’s rank in their colony . “they will not eat soldiers of certain noxious termites , but will search out defenseless workers and eat them” ( harrold ) . the tamandua can eat up to 9 , 000 ants a day !
a menace to ants and termites of south america , the southern tamandua is a creature of both land and trees that survives by eating over 9000 insects every day . with its long snout that hides even a longer cylindrical tongue covered in gooey and sticky saliva , this anteater gobbles up insects by breaking open their nests both in trees and on land . besides the unusual diet , its appearance is quite peculiar as the black fur on its body makes this anteater look like wearing a vest from a distance .
a tamandua ' s prehensile tail comes in handy for spending time in the trees . the underside and end of the tail is hairless , and the tail is used like an extra hand or foot while climbing . a tamandua also uses the tail for balance or like a tripod when needing to stand upright to slash out with the sharp , curved claws . the thick tail also makes a great pillow when sleeping !
tamandua tetradactyla is found to the east of the andes from colombia , venezuela , trinidad island , and the guianas ( french guiana , guyana , and suriname ) , south to northern uruguay and northern argentina .
there are four kinds of anteaters found in the wild , but the species that is most suitable for the adventurous souls willing to invite one into their homes is tamandua tetradactyla , which goes by the common names of southern anteater , the lesser anteater , or the collared anteater . this south american insect eater is 13 to 35 inches long , plus the tail , which can extend another 15 to 26 inches . the creature weight 3 . 3 to 18 . 5 pounds , with considerable variation depending on where the specimen originates .
a type of anteater , the tamandua ( pronounced tuh man doo wah ) is often called a lesser anteater because it is much smaller than its relative , the giant anteater . this interesting animal is at home both in trees and on the ground . the tamandua is most active at night , often nesting during the day in hollow tree trunks . it has small eyes and poor vision but can hear and smell quite well .
currently , there are no notable threats to the population of this species . however , southern tamanduas suffer from pet trade . in addition , they are predated by domestic dogs . on the other hand , wildfires , road traffic as well as degradation and loss of their natural habitat can pose a threat to specific populations .
the tamandua mexicana keep the ant and termite populations under control . this is important for humans because it decreases the ant and termite damage on crops . this is significant in order to produce abundant and healthy crop products .
where can i buy a tamandua anteater , and also do you know if they are legal in australia , melbourne , but i really want to know the first question actually , yeah . well i hope you answer this
recent studies on the habitat choice of the southern tamanduas revealed that they either choose to live in forest edges or forested habitats regardless of the landscape or topography with the open grasslands being their least preferred choice . the average size of their territory ranges from 350 to 400 hectares . foraging is carried out in the open areas whereas they spend a major portion of their time in trees . in fact , it has been found that the southern tamanduas spend 60 % of their entire time either foraging in trees or resting among branches . they usually find shelter in hollow trees and in the absence of proper tree hollows , they might also use abandoned ground holes as shelters .
an adaptable species , southern tamanduas can be found in forests , savannas , tropical rainforests , scrub forests , and mangroves , but most commonly occur near streams and rivers . they have been documented at elevations reaching 6 , 500 feet ( 2 , 000 meters ) . when they are not active , tamanduas commonly shelter in tree hollows .
the adult tamandua’s body length is between 13 and 35 inches ( 33 - 88 cm ) ; with a prehensile tail , which means it can grasp things , of about 15 to 26 inches ( 38 - 66 cm ) ; and it weighs between 3 - 18 pounds ( 1 . 5 - 18 . 5 kg ) . the tamandua anteater is mainly nocturnal , but actively hunts for bees , termites , and ants to eat when it is awake .
they also must be wormed soon as you get them . due to their lack of stomach acid they are very prone to intestinal parasites and stress causes them to come out a proliferate . tamandua often die from internal parasites , especially
for an indoor tamandua a cat tree would be good . mine does enjoy the cat condo from time to time . i would advise it not being allowed much unsupervised access as fiber can come loose from clawing and be hazardous .
tamandua mexicana has no defined breeding season . however , it is commonly observed that the male finds a mate in the fall and the female gives birth to one offspring in the spring . the females’ gestations period lasts from 130 - 190 days . the young tamandua initially stays in the shelter of a hollow tree , but later clings and is carried on their mothers back . the young stay with their mother until one year of age before entering life on their own .
southern tamanduas have short dense fur . their coat color varies depending on where they live . in the south , they have bold dark markings over their shoulders and back , while the rest of their bodies range from brown to blond . in the north and west , they may have lighter markings or be a solid color—black , brown or blond—and have no markings .
if one wants to feed a formulated food . i know of a reportedly 22 year old tamandua who was fed termants bu mazuri his whole life . it still uses a lot of corn products but obviously manages to meet their needs quite well .
tamandua tetradactyla is found in south america east of the andes from columbia , venezuela , trinidad , and the guianas , south to uruguay and n argentina . its habitats consist of wet and dry forests , including tropical rainforest , savanna , and thorn scrub .
burton , andrew , and gerardo ceballos .
northern - most record of the collard anteater ( tamandua mexicana ) from the pacific slope of mexico .
instituto de ecologia , universidad nacional autonma de mexico . 10 . ( 2006 ) : 67 - 70 . print .
an aza listserv has been created for those interested in tamanduas , which may prove a useful tool in sharing husbandry notes . to post to this list , you may send email to : tamandua @ lists . aza . org ; general information about the mailing list is available at
the tamandua tetradactyla inhabits the forested regions of south america , including venezuela , northern argentina , trinidad and the eastern part of the andes . their habitat varies from dry grasslands to temperate rainforests , thorn shrubs and savannas . they are found commonly near rivers and streams with many vines .
healthy tamanduas are thought to have a captive lifespan of about 9 - 11yrs . tamandua mexican has a lifespan of 16 so tamandua tetradactyla could well be similar with real quality care as the info on life span is limited and based on cases before care and diet were improved with studies . their normal temp is about 93 . 6f give or take a little . tamanduas generally respond well to canine medications when needed . try to find a good vet that can get inflo from a zoo vet . there are some medicinces like certain antibiotics that should not be given .
tamanduas are highly beneficial for people in the amazon , who use them to clear their homes from insects such as ants and termites that are primary prey species of these animals . moreover , many local zoo and safari parks offer their visitors to purchase a tamandua for the above mentioned reason .
a good dealer will make sure yours is healthy and eating before you get it but you need to be prepared . some remain picky . it could be a few days after arrival before a tamandua will first eat in a new home so you don ' t need to panic right away .
as the southern tamanduas are not seen commonly around human settlements they are not depicted in cultural human societies as the giant anteater is , which is terrestrial by nature and seen more frequently than the tamanduas . however , tamanduas often get killed by hunters for their thick tendons present in their tail which is used in making rope . besides this , some amazonian indians capture tamanduas and take them to their homes in order to rid themselves from ants and termites .
the first southern tamandua maintained in a north american collection was an individual ( of unknown sex ) imported in 1883 ; the animal was housed at the philadelphia zoo . longevity data indicate that the species may live as long as 20 + years . the oldest living animals are a female at houston zoo ( studbook # 243 , at 11 . 7 years of age ) and a male at sacramento zoo ( studbook # 181 , at 18 . 0 years of age ) . the oldest female to breed did so at an age of 10 . 6 years , while the oldest male was 18 . 3 years of age at estimated conception . despite a maximum longevity of 19 . 18 years ( over the last decade ) , median life expectancy is much lower .
a powerful sense of smell helps the animal find a food source , like a termite mound . the tamandua feeds only a short time at each ant nest or termite mound so it won ' t get many bites . this also helps ensure there are plenty of snacks at the same location the next time !
) . head and body length ranges from 470 to 770 mm and tail length from 402 to 672 mm . northern tamanduas are fawn to brownish colored and have a distinct , black
v
going down their backs . one of their names , vested anteaters , is derived from this
v
as it makes the anteater appear to be wearing a vest . northern tamanduas always have this vivid , black
vest
on their trunk that continues from the shoulders to the rump . southern tamanduas , northern tamandua ' s closest relative , only has this
v
in some specimens from the southeastern portion of their range , the part of their range which is farthest from the range of northern tamanduas . sometimes the two species can only be distinguished by characters of the skull .
thus , the tamandua is primarily kept as an ambassador species because is a good example of an animal whose future is strongly depending on the attitude of humans towards its natural environment , and for educational reasons as a good example for a unique life form . it thus contributes to a better understanding of the very particular and endemic fauna of south america .
they are good swimmers and like water so a child ' s wading pool on warm days might be good . some have liked soaking in warm water but most tamandua do not seem to like water that much . not all enjoy getting in water pua loves going to the river but usually avoids getting wet but if heated up she has waded in and even swims but it has to be just right .
the primary way of communication among the tamanduas is through smell . their anal glands produce a special secretion that has a very strong distasteful smell . they use this secretion to mark trees , paths or any conspicuous object and also to advertise their presence , status and sexual condition to the opposite sex . sometimes they use this stench for marking their territorial boundary . the southern tamanduas are very quiet animals and make sounds only during fights which can be heard in the form of snorts , hisses , roars and sniffs . on the other hand , during the postnatal care , the young tamanduas often make a high - pitched grunting noise to communicate with their mother .
keepers say the tamanduas can tell the different ant species apart by their smell , and they only like to eat certain types ! tamanduas like to climb , too ( especially palm trees ) , so while out on a walk or meeting guests , keepers have to keep their tamandua from getting too close to any trees . otherwise , our animal ambassador just might grab onto a branch with those mighty forearms , and it would be tough to convince him or her to let go !
a specialized mouth and tongue let tamanduas eat up to 9 , 000 ants in a single day ! tamanduas don ' t have teeth to chew their food ; instead , their stomach grinds the food after it is swallowed . a 16 - inch - long ( 41 centimeters ) sticky tongue with small barbs on it is just right for stealing ants and termites from their home . the tamandua ' s mouth is only as round as a pencil , but it can also lick up honey and soft , juicy fruits .
while some anteaters can be gluttons and highly food motivated some are hard to get eating when newly acquired . they usually love the flavor of milk so a kitten milk replacer can be used for flavor short term . milk replacer should not be used long term . there is too much retinol in it . if used it should be temporary to wean them onto a healthy food mix . i have recently been told many tamandua in asian zoos are dying young from retinol toxicity . do not use long term . try to keep any use in adults to under a month .
females give birth to one young at a time . rarely twins are born but the mother tamandua can not care for more than one young at a time in the wild so one is rejected . in the case of twins at least one young should be removed and bottled and the other watched closely . rarely twins have been left with mom and survived with supplemental feeding of both but this would never happen in the wild and it ' s more common for mom to reject one or even both so it is risky to try leaving both with mom . it ' s a tricky decision since mom ' s milk is best . the first 3 weeks the most touchy for bottle raising .
the tamandua , sometimes referred to as the ant bear , is a medium sized anteater . they weight about 7 - 19 pounds . my experience is healthy adults average on the larger size over 10 pounds . they are about 2 feet long not counting the tail . the tail is roughly another 2 feet in length and is prehensile . most are about the size of a large house cat or small dog . the standard coloring is tan with a black vest and is why they are often referred to as collard anteaters . however they also come in all blond , all black , all tan , gray and with faded vests when present . the color varies based on the region they live in the wild .
general info the tamandua , sometimes referred to as the ant bear , is a medium sized anteater . they weight about 7 - 19 pounds and are about 2 feet long not counting the tail . the tail is roughly another foot in length and is prehensile . most are about the size of a large house cat or small dog . the standard coloring is tan with a black vest and is why they are often referred to as collard anteaters . however they also come in all blond , all black , all tan , gray and with faded vests when present . the color varies based on the region they live in the wild . the actual collared anteaters are hard to find now and most in captivity are non - vested or only partly vested .
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america meridionali ;
restricted to brazil , pernambuco , pernambuco ( = recife ) , by thomas ( 1911 a ) .
south america east of the andes from colombia , venezuela , trinidad , and the guianas , south to uruguay and n argentina .
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thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
is listed as least concern in view of its wide distribution , presumed large population , its occurrence in a number of protected areas , and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category .
is found to the east of the andes from colombia , venezuela , trinidad island , and the guianas ( french guiana , guyana , and suriname ) , south to northern uruguay and northern argentina . it ranges from sea level to 2 , 000 m asl ( emmons and feer 1990 ) .
it mainly feeds on ants and termites , but also attacks bees nests to eat honey ( emmons and feer 1990 ) . the female gives birth to a single young once per year ( silveira 1968 ) .
is sometimes ( inappropriately ) used as a pet species or consumed . the skin is sometimes used to make leather products . tamanduas that are found in the wild are donated or sold to private persons or zoos , and may be involved in animal traffic .
2008 , d . a . meritt jr . pers . comm . 2010 ) . habitat loss and degradation , wildfires , and road traffic represent a threat in some areas . in uruguay ,
are needed to investigate population densities and dynamics in different parts of its range . studbooks for captive tamanduas exist in some range countries ( brazil : projeto tamanduá ; international : alpza ) , and a population management plan has been established in aza zoos .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
mammal species of the world : a taxonomic and geographic reference ( book , 2005 ) [ worldcat . org ]
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i thought you might be interested in this item at urltoken title : mammal species of the world : a taxonomic and geographic reference author : don e wilson ; deeann m reeder publisher : baltimore : johns hopkins university press , ©2005 . isbn / issn : 0801882214 9780801882210 0801882389 9780801882388 0801882397 9780801882395 oclc : 57557352
wilson and reeder ' s mammal species of the world is the classic reference book on the taxonomic classification and distribution of the more than 5400 species of mammals that exist today . the third edition includes detailed information on nomenclature and , for the first time , common names . each concise entry covers type locality , distribution , synonyms , and major reference sources . the systematic arrangement of
information indicates evolutionary relationships at both the ordinal and the family level . this indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals .
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this indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals .
a uniquely valuable compendium of taxonomic and distributional data on the world ' s living and historically extinct mammalian species . contributors and editors alike deserve the thanks of all
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wilson and reeder ' s mammal species of the world is the classic reference book on the taxonomic classification and distribution of the more than 5400 species of mammals that exist today . the third edition includes detailed information on nomenclature and , for the first time , common names . each concise entry covers type locality , distribution , synonyms , and major reference sources . the systematic arrangement of information indicates evolutionary relationships at both the ordinal and the family level . this indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals .
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as its name suggests , the collared anteater usually eats ants and termites , but it will also attack bees nests to get the honey .
the collared anteater has no teeth , but has an impressive 40cm long , cylindrical tongue .
a semi - arboreal species , the collared anteater has a prehensile tail which it uses as a 5th limb when climbing .
with poor eyesight and hearing , the collared anteater locates food using its good sense of smell .
information on the collared anteater is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly .
classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) .
this information is awaiting authentication by a species expert , and will be updated as soon as possible . if you are able to help please contact : arkive @ urltoken
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team wild , an elite squadron of science superheroes , needs your help ! your mission : protect and conserve the planet’s species and habitats from destruction .
wildscreen is a registered charity in england and wales no . 299450 wildscreen usa is a registered 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non - profit organisation in the usa
today ' s hours : 8 a . m . to 7 p . m . last admittance 6 p . m .
head to freedom plaza for the fast & the fierce 5k and fun run . then , make your way to the zoo for an after - party on the great meadow !
show the animal lover in your life how big your heart is with the gift that supports animal care and conservation .
splash into fun with nature cubs summer preschool classes ! attend the beach buddies series starting july 10 , or pick a weekend class about elephants , monkeys , pandas and other zoo favorites .
tamanduas are arboreal relatives of anteaters , whom they resemble . native to south america , they can live in a variety of habitats , eating mainly social insects such as ants , termites and bees .
tamanduas , and all anteaters , belong to the suborder vermilingua , which literally means
worm - tongue ,
describing their famous long tongues .
the underside of their tails is fur - less ; this allows them to grip tree branches more securely as they move through the trees .
they have large claws , resembling those on the feet of their relative , the giant anteater .
tamanduas are found throughout much of south america : throughout all of guyana , trinidad and tobago , suirname , french guiana , brazil , and paraguay . this species also inhabits parts of uruguay , argentina , bolivia , peru , ecuador , colombia and venezuela .
tamanduas hiss and emit an unpleasant odor from their anal glands when threatened or disturbed . they can also defend themselves using their impressive claws and strong forelimbs . if a predator attacks them in a tree , tamanduas stand on their hind legs balancing themselves with their tail , and reach out with their claws and strong arms until the predator approaches . if threatened while on the ground , tamanduas lean against a tree or rock and use their forelimbs to grab potential predators .
at the smithsonian ' s national zoo , tamanduas consume insects and a mash of insectivore diet .
tamanduas typically mates in the fall , and female tamanduas are capable of having multiple estrus cycles throughout the breeding season . pregnancy lasts between 130 and 150 days , after which a single offspring is born . twin births can occur , but are uncommon . as with other species of anteater , mothers carry young tamanduas on their backs throughout the first months of life . young remain with their mother for about one year before reaching sexual maturity and heading off on their own .
researchers believe tamanduas are primarily nocturnal , but they have been observed being active during the daytime as well . whenever they are awake , they are typically active for an eight - hour period , which they spend mainly looking for food . they move easily in and through trees , but are awkward on the ground . they have to walk on the outside of their feet to avoid puncturing themselves with their long , strong claws .
in certain regions , tamanduas are hunted for their meat or skins , which can be made into leather products . they are also collected from their native habitats and sold as pets . other hazards include vehicular traffic and wildfires . like most species , tamanduas are also affected by habitat loss and degradation .
beautiful and engaging , red pandas are classified as endangered on the iucn red list of threatened species . there may be fewer than 2 , 500 adult red pandas living in the wild today .
smithsonian’s national zoo & conservation biology institute 3001 connecticut ave . , nw washington , dc 20008
in its central and south american forest and scrub habitat . it has thick , coarse fur that is light yellow , tan , brown , or gray . the kinky hair keeps angry ants from reaching the animal’s skin when dining at an anthill .
many also have a large , black band covering the sides of their body or a black
v
going down their back . the enormous front claws help tamanduas climb . they have four toes on the front feet , with an extra - long claw on the third toe . these long claws cause tamanduas to walk on the outside edges of their front feet so the claws don ' t dig into their feet ! the important claws are also used for defense and when digging for food .
one baby is born in early spring and is cared for by the mother only . the new baby does not resemble the parents very much , as its coat is a solid color , but its eyes are open , and it has those giant claws . the youngster spends the first part of its life on the mother ' s back ; she places her baby on a safe branch for a short time while she looks for food .
currently , the san diego zoo has four tamanduas : three females , named lola , blanca , and jamaree ; and a male , named otis . jamaree is on exhibit in the children ' s zoo . the others live off exhibit but serve as animal ambassadors , meeting zoo and safari park guests up close during animal presentations and making appearances on television . you may see one out on a walk , looking for ants .
, with stable populations . fortunately , tamanduas are able to adapt to a variety of habitats as needed .
you can help us bring other species back from the brink by supporting the san diego zoo global wildlife conservancy . together we can save and protect wildlife around the globe .
at 91 degrees fahrenheit ( 33 degrees celsius ) , tamanduas have one of the lowest body temperatures of any active land mammal .
people living in the amazon sometimes use tamanduas to rid their homes of ants and termites .
a smelly scent gives tamanduas the nickname
stinkers of the forest .
the animal can spray a foul - smelling secretion said to be four times more powerful than a skunk ' s !
tropical rainforest , dry forest , savanna and thorn scrub , most common near streams and rivers .
for air transport , container note 75 of the iata live animals regulations should be followed .
although the tamanduas both are currently not listed as being in concrete danger they already suffer from loss of environment . very often they fall victim to their habit of intruding into human settlements where they are regarded as noisy and unwelcome visitors . further , they are hunted for the pelts or for the pet trade as they are considered as good pets ( which is definitely not the case ; partially due to their sometimes very aggressive nature against their keepers ) .
they perform their walking by supporting their body on the wrists in order to keep their claws in shape and avoiding thus to be hurt by their own claws . the toes of the hind legs are also elongated which provide an improved grip when climbing up on the trees . they have four short , but muscular feet . when they walk on the surface their long tail drags along rather than being held upright .
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stauroteuthis syrtensis , also known as the glowing sucker octopus , is a species of small pelagic octopus found at great depths in the north atlantic ocean .

it is one of a very small number of octopuses to exhibit bioluminescence .

stauroteuthis syrtensis

jennifer hammock marked
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stauroteuthis syrtensis , also known as the glowing sucker octopod , is a . . .
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stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill , 1879
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bioluminescence in the deep - sea cirrate octopod stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill ( mollusca : cephalopoda ) .
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stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill , 1879
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bioluminescence in the deep - sea cirrate octopod stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill ( mollusca : cephalopoda ) . - pubmed - ncbi
chunioteuthis ebersbachii grimpe , 1916 is a junior synonym of stauroteuthis syrtensis ( voss , 1988 ; collins and henriques , 2000 ) .
vertical distribution , behavior , chemical composition and metabolism of stauroteuthis syrtensis ( octopoda - cirrata ) in the northwest atlantic . pdf ( 334 . 0kb )
collins , m . , c . henriques . 2000 . a revision of the family stauroteuthidae ( octopoda : cirrata ) with redescriptions of stauroteuthis syrtensis and s . gilchristi .
johnsen , s . , e . balser , e . fischer , a . widder . 1999 . bioluminescence in the deep - sea cirrate octopod stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill ( mollusca : cephalopoda ) .
to cite this page : woo , h . and m . grieco 2009 .
stauroteuthis syrtensis
( on - line ) , animal diversity web . accessed july 09 , 2018 at urltoken
collins , m . , r . young , m . vecchione . 2002 .
stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill 1879
( on - line ) . tree of life web project . accessed february 04 , 2009 at urltoken .
figure . geographical distribution of s . syrtensis . chart modified from collins and henriques ( 2000 ) .
collins , m . a . and c . henriques . 2000 . a revision of the family stauroteuthidae ( octopoda : cirrata ) with redescriptions of stauroteuthis syrtensis and s . gilchristi . j . mar . biol . ass . u . k . , 80 : 685 - 697 .
this description is taken from collins and henriques ( 2000 ) . more details of the description of s . syrtensis can be found here .
figure . reproductive tracts of s . syrtensis . left - male . right - female . drawings modified from collins and henriques , 2000 .
figure . shell of s . syrtensis . left - side view . right - top view . drawings from collins and henriques , 2000 .
being without adhesive suckers would seem to put you at a major disadvantage if you ' re an octopus , but the deep - sea octopus stauroteuthis syrtensis manages just fine . in the place of the usual suckers are rows of flashing photophores , which the octopus cannily uses to lure its prey to certain death or to startle intruders .
johnson , s . , balser , e . j . , fisher , e . c . and e . a . widder . 1999 . bioluminescence in the deep - sea cirrate octopod stauroteuthis syrtensis verrill ( mollusca : cephalopoda ) . biol . bull . mar . biol . lab . , woods hole , 197 : 113 - 114 .
collins , m . a . ; henriques , c . ( 2000 ) . a revision of the family stauroteuthidae ( octopoda : cirrata ) with redescriptions of stauroteuthis syrtensis and s . gilchristi . j . mar . biol . ass . u . k . 80 ( 4 ) : 685 - 697 ( look up in imis ) [ details ]
justification : stauroteuthis syrtensis has been assessed as data deficient . little is known about this species , but like many opisthoteuthid species it occurs in waters that are being increasingly targeted by commercial deep - water fisheries . research is urgently required into the effect of fishing activity on population sizes as their longevity and low fecundity make them particularly susceptible to fishing pressure .
figure . side view of the beaks of s . syrtensis , upper jaw ( left ) , lower jaw ( right ) . drawings from collins and henriques , 2000 .
jsl ii dive 1997 . animal swims into the bottom , then spreads its web from : vecchione , m . and r . e young . 1997 . aspects of the functional morphology of cirrate octopods : locomotion and feeding . vie et milieu , 47 : 101 - 110 . online abstract : urltoken to see other cephalopod videos : urltoken [ taxonomy : binomial = stauroteuthis syrtensis ]
jsl i dive 2621 . drifting in a bell - shaped posture from : vecchione , m . and r . e young . 1997 . aspects of the functional morphology of cirrate octopods : locomotion and feeding . vie et milieu , 47 : 101 - 110 . online abstract : urltoken also : urltoken to see other cephalopod videos : urltoken [ taxonomy : binomial = stauroteuthis syrtensis ]
( of chunioteuthis ebersbachii grimpe , 1916 ) collins , m . a . ; henriques , c . ( 2000 ) . a revision of the family stauroteuthidae ( octopoda : cirrata ) with redescriptions of stauroteuthis syrtensis and s . gilchristi . j . mar . biol . ass . u . k . 80 ( 4 ) : 685 - 697 ( look up in imis ) [ details ]
stauroteuthis feeds on small crustaceans that are attracted to light . once the unsuspecting critter is close , the octopus grabs it and traps it within a mucus web produced by glands on its arms . in the first study ( pdf ) to document stauroteuthis ' bioluminescence , duke university ' s sonke johnsen and colleagues observed that , when disturbed , the octopus splayed out its arms and exposed all its flashing photophores in an attempt to scare off unwanted guests .
stauroteuthis syrtensis appears to be relatively common off the continental slope of the eastern usa although it occurs across the north atlantic . it has been observed off the usa from submersibles ( e . g . , vecchione and young , 1997 , johnsen , et al . , 1999 ) and is regularly caught in bottom trawls at the appropriate depths ( vecchione , pers . obs . ) . a video of this species can be found here .
distribution records for octopods examined by collins and henriques , 2000 indicate that s . syrtensis is widespread in the north atlantic where they are found near bottoms of 500 to 4000 m with maximum abundance between 1500 and 2500 m .
vecchione , m . and r . e . young . 1997 aspects of the functional morphology of cirrate octopods : locomotion and feeding . vie milieu 47 ( 2 ) : 101 - 110 . , collins , m . a . and c . henriques . 2000 . a revision of the family stauroteuthidae ( octopoda : cirrata ) with redescriptions of stauroteuthis syrtensis and s . gilchristi . j . mar . biol . ass . u . k . , 80 : 685 - 697 . ( 2 )
figure . lateral view of the digestive tract of s . syrtensis . drawing modified from vecchione and young , 1997 . insert - dorsal view of buccal mass with paired salivary glands . drawing from collins and henriques ( 2000 ) .
this species is most easily separated from s . gilchristi by the larger sucker size in the latter ( s . gilchristi females up to 5 mm in maximum sucker diameter and males up to 9 mm in maximum sucker diameter compared to 2 . 2 mm in females and 6 mm in males of s . syrtensis ) , and the more distal position of the largest suckers in the latter females ( suckers 1 - 3 in s . syrtensis vs 9 - 14 in s . gilchristi . the latter feature suggests the that s . gilchristi lacks sexual dimorphism in sucker size .
figure . oral view of arms and side view of suckers of s . syrtensis . top - male arm , r . v . discovery sta . 52104 , with proximal , mid - arm and distal sucker enlarged . bottom - female arm , same octopod as in title drawing ( r . v . discovery sta . 51014 ) , with proximal , mid - arm and distal sucker enlarged . drawing from collins and henriques ( 2000 ) .
esophagus slightly expanded but not a distinct crop . buccal mass with a single large posterior salivary gland on surface ( see aldred et al . , 1983 ) according to vecchione and young , 1997 , but two pairs of small salivary glands according to collins and henriques , 2000 . ( insert in drawing to right shows a dorsal view of the buccal mass of s . syrtensis with two pairs of salivary glands , from collins and henriques , 2000 . compare this with the single pair shown on the overall lateral view of the digestive tract , from vecchione and young , 1997 ) . anal flaps , ink sac , radula absent . posterior region of lips near beaks and more distal region within lips with large masses of secretory glands .
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this species is widespread in the north atlantic at depths of 500 to 4 , 000 m with peak abundances occurring between 1 , 500 and 2 , 500 m ( collins and henriques 2000 ) . on georges bank , individuals have been observed at depths 600 m and typically within 100 m of the bottom in three ~ 900 m deep canyons indenting the southern edge of georges bank ( jacoby et al . 2009 ) .
( 2001 ) estimated 8 - 9 individuals per square kilometre in the north east atlantic at depths between 1 , 000 and 2 , 000 m .
collins and villanueva ( 2006 ) suggest that all members of the cirroteuthidae are benthopelagic . although most specimens have been collected from bottom trawls which are biased towards soft sediments , deep - sea photographic surveys and observations from submersibles have shown cirroteuthids associated with both soft and rocky bottoms ( collins and villanueva 2006 ) . the bathymetric distribution of this species varies geographically , occurring in shallower waters around greenland ( collins 2002 ) than in the british isles ( collins
2001 ) . collins and villanueva ( 2006 ) suggest this distribution is likely influenced by factors such as temperature , food availability and dissolved oxygen concentration . jacoby
collins and villanueva ( 2006 ) highlight the extension of commercial fishing into deeper waters . this has yielded many cirrate octopod specimens for research but the consequences of fishing mortality remains unclear . these cephalopods are potentially long lived and slow to reach maturity and collins and villanueva ( 2006 ) suggest that fishing may already have significantly reduced population sizes in certain areas . however , this has not been quantified for this species .
there are no species - specific conservation measures in place . research is required to investigate whether commercial deep - sea fishing is significantly reducing population sizes .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
verrill a . e . ( 1879 ) . notice of recent additions to the marine fauna of the east coast of north america . american journal of science and arts ( 3 ) 17 : 309 - 315 [ aprile ] ; ( 3 ) 18 [ details ]
integrated taxonomic information system ( itis ) . , available online at urltoken [ details ]
hochberg f . g . , norman m . d . & finn j . k . ( 2014 ) . family stauroteuthidae . pp . 266 - 267 , in p . jereb , c . f . e . roper , m . d . norman & j . k . finn eds . cephalopods of the world . an annotated and illustrated catalogue of cephalopod species known to date . volume 3 . octopods and vampire squids . fao species catalogue for fishery purposes [ rome , fao ] . 4 ( 3 ) : 353 pp . 11 pls . page ( s ) : 266 [ details ]
( of chunioteuthis ebersbachii grimpe , 1916 ) integrated taxonomic information system ( itis ) . , available online at urltoken [ details ]
( of chunioteuthis ebersbachii grimpe , 1916 ) abbott r . t . ( 1974 ) . american seashells . the marine mollusca of the atlantic and pacific coast of north america . ed . 2 . van nostrand , new york . 663 pp . , 24 pls . [ october 1974 ] . ( look up in imis ) [ details ]
medin . ( 2011 ) . uk checklist of marine species derived from the applications marine recorder and unicorn . version 1 . 0 . [ details ]
intergovernmental oceanographic commission ( ioc ) of unesco . the ocean biogeographic information system ( obis ) , available online at urltoken [ details ]
this species has been frequently observed in waters off the continental shelf of eastern north america , but has also been found in locations in the northeastern atlantic .
is described as
benthopelagic
- - being found in open water , but near the bottom . and can be found in depths of the ocean ranging from 500 - 4000m . this large range seems to relate to water temperature .
, distinguished by fins used for swimming , an internal shell ( to which the fins attach ) and cirri , paired filaments or papillae , on each sucker . like other species in the
has a u - shaped internal shell , and secondary webbing that connects the arms to the primary web . this allows the arms to move inwards towards the mouth without collapsing the large bell - shaped web of skin that forms around arms . the web covers nearly two thirds of their total length ending at sucker 25 , with each arm bearing between 55 to 65 suckers . the average arm length is about 70 - 85 % of its total length with total lengths ranging from 280 - 500mm .
the body of these animals is soft and gelatinous , and is often heavily damaged in trawls and collections . it is often found hanging in the water with its webbed arms forming a bell shape . there are large glands near the mouth that may produce mucous to trap small prey animals .
males have sexually dimorphic suckers . the first 8 suckers are barrel shaped , suckers 9 to 22 - 25 are enlarged and pointed . suckers 9 to 12 are very closely packed and suckers 13 to 18 are the largest with a diameter of about 6 . 5 mm . females have smaller suckers with suckers 1 to 3 as the largest with a diameter of 2 . 2 mm . suckers 1 to 4 are very tightly packed , but suckers 5 to 24 are well separated . in both sexes , the suckers diameter decreases dramatically after sucker 25 nearing where the web ends . both male and females have three kinds of suckers , proximal , mid arm , and distal . this sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of the suckers is unique to the species , and is probably related to sperm transfer or other reproductive activity .
has been has been determined by examining preserved specimens . the male genital system consists of testis , vas deferens , needhams sac , accessory gland , and terminal organ . the seminal vesicle is packed with about 100 spermatophores each with a length of 1 - 2mm .
the female genitalia are unpaired and consist of a single oviduct ( with both proximal and distal portions ) and an oviducal gland . the majority of the eggs were less than 1mm , but the largest found were in upwards of 11mm . this larger egg size suggests a more developed maturation stage . the ovary contained about 900 eggs . eggs were also found in the proximal oviduct maybe ready for fertilization .
( collins and henriques , 2000 ; collins , 2002 ; collins , et al . , 2008 )
because no juvenile specimens have been found , little is known about the parental care of these species .
have mostly been found in a bell posture with their arms extending and their web spread . in the bell posture , they use their fins to swim . they can also move by expanding their web and then contracting it to expel water and propel them through the ocean . live animals in the wild have only been found alone , not in groups .
has not been observed . the species has large eyes , and is likely sensitive to chemicals and touch .
in that they have modified suckers that are capable of producing blue - green bioluminescence with a maximum wavelength of 470nm . these modified suckers are unlike other suckers because they are not able to attach . their use is not well understood , but it is suggested that they may be used to attract prey or be used to attract a mate .
( collins , et al . , 2008 ; johnsen , et al . , 1999 )
. the bell shape of the web , along with mucus produced by glands around the mouth , maybe be used to capture zooplankton . the bioluminescence of the suckers is also thought to be used to attract prey , but this has not yet been confirmed .
( collins and henriques , 2000 ; johnsen , et al . , 1999 ; collins and henriques , 2000 ; collins , et al . , 2008 ; johnsen , et al . , 1999 )
because little has been witnessed in the wild about this species , its predators have not been observed . when observed ,
is normally in a bell posture . when disturbed though , the animal goes into a balloon posture with the arms closed at the tips . in the balloon posture , the fins remain motionless .
has also been seen in a pumpkin posture when threatened which is like the balloon posture , but smaller . when trying to escape , the
the population size of this species is unknown . it has not been evaluated by the iucn , and is not listed in cites or under the u . s . endangered species act .
hye woo ( author ) , rutgers university , michael grieco ( author ) , rutgers university , david howe ( editor , instructor ) , rutgers university .
the body of water between africa , europe , the southern ocean ( above 60 degrees south latitude ) , and the western hemisphere . it is the second largest ocean in the world after the pacific ocean .
referring to an animal that lives on or near the bottom of a body of water . also an aquatic biome consisting of the ocean bottom below the pelagic and coastal zones . bottom habitats in the very deepest oceans ( below 9000 m ) are sometimes referred to as the abyssal zone . see also oceanic vent .
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror - image halves . animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides , as well as anterior and posterior ends . synapomorphy of the bilateria .
having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment ; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature .
the area in which the animal is naturally found , the region in which it is endemic .
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female ; development of offspring occurs outside the mother ' s body .
an aquatic biome consisting of the open ocean , far from land , does not include sea bottom ( benthic zone ) .
that region of the earth between 23 . 5 degrees north and 60 degrees north ( between the tropic of cancer and the arctic circle ) and between 23 . 5 degrees south and 60 degrees south ( between the tropic of capricorn and the antarctic circle ) .
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator , from 23 . 5 degrees north to 23 . 5 degrees south .
animal constituent of plankton ; mainly small crustaceans and fish larvae . ( compare to phytoplankton . )
collins , m . , r . young , m . vecchione . 2008 .
stauroteuthidae grimpe 1916
( on - line ) . tree of life web project . accessed february 04 , 2009 at urltoken .
vecchione , m . , r . young . 1997 . aspects of the functional morphology of cirrate octopods : locomotion and feeding .
vecchione , m . 2000 .
cephalopods in action - - vecchione and young , 1997
( on - line video ) . cephalopods at the national museum of natural history . accessed october 10 , 2007 at urltoken .
disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .
this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .
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males with sexually dimorphic suckers : suckers 1 - 8 small , barrel shaped ; suckers 9 to 22 - 25 enlarged , conical ( see drawings on upper right ) ; suckers 9 - 12 closely packed ; suckers 13 - 18 largest ; maximum sucker diameter 6 . 5 mm .
females with arm suckers uniformly small : maximum diameter found on suckers 1 - 3 , largest sucker diameter 2 . 2 mm ; suckers 1 - 4 tightly packed , barrel shaped ; suckers 5 to about 24 small and well spaced , separated by up to 15 mm ( see drawings on lower right ) . horizontal scale bars 100 mm , vertical scale bars 2 mm .
both sexes : suckers distally from number 19 - 24 , become smaller , closely packed and more cyclindrical ; suckers minute at arm tips .
figure . the graph relates the maximum sucker diameter to the size of the octopod . head width is used as the size standard since mantle length is highly variable due to fixation and preservation . sexual dimorphism in sucker size between males and females is clearly demonstrated by the chart . chart modified from collins and henriques ( 2000 ) .
maximum length of eggs found in the oviducts were 11 mm and the largest ovarian eggs were 9 . 5 mm . the ovary has about 900 oocytes of which 22 were more than 8 mm long . most oocytes were less than 1 mm in length . about 40 sheaths , presumably from eggs that had been released , were found in the ovary .
vecchione , m . and r . e . young . 1997 aspects of the functional morphology of cirrate octopods : locomotion and feeding . vie milieu 47 ( 2 ) : 101 - 110 .
cape hatteras , u . s . a , sw u . k . ( 2 )
collins , martin , richard e . young , and michael vecchione . 2002 .
each tol leaf page provides a synopsis of the characteristics of a group of organisms representing a leaf at the tip of the tree of life . the major distinction between a leaf and a branch of the tree of life is that a leaf cannot generally be further subdivided into subgroups representing distinct genetic lineages .
for a more detailed explanation of the different tol page types , have a look at the structure of the tree of life page .
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a catalog of the type - specimens of recent cephalopoda in the national museum of natural history . smithsonian contributions to zoology , 278
sweeney , m . j . and c . f . e . roper / n . a . voss , m . vecchione , r . b . toll and m . j . sweeney , eds .
systematics and biogeography of cephalopods . smithsonian contributions to zoology , 586 ( i - ii )
notice of recent additions to the marine fauna of the eastern coast of north america , no . 7
taxon validity : [ fide nesis ( 1987a : 282 ) ] . repository : nmnh holotype 382471 [ fide roper and sweeney ( 1978 ) ] . type locality : 43 54 ' n , 58 44 ' w ( atlantic ocean )
disclaimer : itis taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available , and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties . however , it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes . while every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up - to - date information available , ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the united states is a party , wildlife statutes , regulations , and any applicable notices that have been published in the federal register . for further information on u . s . legal requirements with respect to protected taxa , please contact the u . s . fish and wildlife service .
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scientists aim to describe a single ' tree of life ' that reflects the evolutionary relationships of living things . however , evolutionary relationships are a matter of ongoing discovery , and there are different opinions about how living things should be grouped and named . eol reflects these differences by supporting several different scientific ' classifications ' . some species have been named more than once . such duplicates are listed under synonyms . eol also provides support for common names which may vary across regions as well as languages .
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cirri long , up to 50 mm ; first rudimentary cirri present before sucker 3 or 4 ; cirri end at web margin at sucker 19 - 24 .
the upper beak ( drawing on the near right ) has a gently curving rostral edge . the lower beak ( drawing on the far right ) has an elongate rostrum and a hood that is nearly flat in profile along the crest . bar is 10 mm .
male reproductive ( illustration on near right ) and female reproductive tract ( illustrated on far right ) .
the shell us u - shaped with large wings flattened dorsolaterally where fins attach . bar is 20 mm .
all table measurements are in mm . ios - institute of oceanographic sciences ( now the southampton oceanography centre ) . nmsz - national museum of scotland . zub - university of bergen , museum of zoology . diam . - diameter ; l - length ; lam - lamella ; max . - maximum ; mw - mantle width ; tl - total length ; wt . - weight . the table , slightly modified in form , is from : collins and henriques ( 2000 ) .
this page is a note that is attached to a leaf of the tree of life .
tol notes provide brief accounts of characteristics , short summaries , commentaries , media files , taxonomic information , or identification tools for a given group of organisms .
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to truly appreciate the wondrous beauty of life in the ocean , you have to see it at night . when the sun sets , it comes to life in a dazzling display of colors and lights that rivals the best fireworks shows .
an astonishing variety of species use bioluminescence ( the natural production of visible light through a chemical reaction ) to catch food , hook up with mates , or scare off intruders . in this gallery , we ' ll look at some of the wildest , and most clever , uses of light at sea .
some species know how to make a quiet exit . but the deep - sea shrimp retreats in a blaze of bioluminescent glory . when confronted by a predator , the bright red critter spews a glowing blue ooze from the base of its antennae into the water .
the light temporarily stuns the offender , giving the shrimp precious time to back - flip its way to safety . it ' s similar to the time - tested strategy used by squids and octopuses , which squirt clouds of ink into the faces of their enemies .
the glass squid is a master of luminous disguise . unlike the many species that use bioluminescence as an attention - grabbing beacon , this animal uses light as a cloak to evade prying eyes .
aside from its opaque eyes and the polka dot - like chromatophores ( pigmented cells that aid in camouflage ) that cover its body , the glass squid is completely transparent . the chromatophores are not an issue , but the opaque color of its eyes can be a dead giveaway . many species hunt for prey by scanning the water column above them , looking for any telltale silhouettes that might signal the presence of their next meal .
to confound its potential predators , the glass squid makes use of two u - shaped light - emitting photophores located at the base of its eyes : the lights cancel out the shadows cast by the opaque eyes . the effect of this strategy , called counterillumination , is to break up the squid ' s silhouette by mimicking the intensity and color of downwelling light from the surface .
to survive in the dark recesses of the ocean , it helps to have a sharp pair of eyes . and preferably eyes that can see through others ' visual deceits . on both counts , the short nose green - eye fish swims above the fray .
like many deep - sea predators , its eyes are turned upward to scan for prey blocking the light that comes from above . but where another fish might have been fooled by a prey using counterillumination , the short - nose green - eye fish uses its sophisticated peepers ( pdf ) to break up any bioluminescent shams .
the green fluorescent pigment in the lenses of its eyes acts like a filter , absorbing the sea ' s ambient deep blue light . researchers believe this property allows the short - nose green - eye fish to distinguish between the lighter shade of blue given off by bioluminescent creatures and the richer blue of the ocean .
the tropical mantis shrimp is known for one thing above all else : its amazing eyes . unlike our own primitive eyes , which detect three primary colors , the mantis shrimp ' s can see 12 . they can also perceive different forms of polarized light - - light waves oscillating in a single direction . this ability is primarily thought to help the shrimp nab the transparent animals that it feasts on .
on the dimly lit seafloor , where the shrimp dig their burrows , their complex eyes have another crucial function : interspecies communication . pigments in the shrimp ' s appendages absorb the ocean ' s ambient blue light and emit it in a yellow - green color , resulting in the characteristic spotty markings . the light ' s wavelength is so specific that only other members of the species can trace it , which allows the mantis shrimp both to flaunt its goods to prospective mates and to threaten encroachers .
at first blush , the hawaiian bobtail squid looks like just another bioluminescent cephalopod . like many of its relatives , the bobtail squid makes deft use of its light - emitting photophores to hunt , communicate with its peers , and hide from predators lurking below . but it ' s a fraud .
instead of producing the light itself , the squid relies on a bioluminescent bacterium that dwells within its photophores . in exchange for shelter and a stable source of nutrients , the bacteria provide the squid with the ability to make light .
the relationship begins immediately at birth . after emerging from its egg , the juvenile bobtail squid acquires the bacteria from the environment , and they start the process of colonizing its developing light organs .
studies have shown that the squid can even control the intensity of the luminescence produced by the bacteria in order to match that of the downwelling light in the water column .
when something looks too good to be true , it usually is . take the case of the deep - sea siphonophore , which makes red light to trap its prey . a close relative of the jellyfish , it was recently discovered by a team of monterey bay aquarium research institute ( mbari ) researchers .
like all siphonophores , this unnamed species is what scientists call a
superorganism
: an animal that grows by budding off highly specialized structures , known as zooids . each zooids performs a specific function , such as feeding or reproduction .
this creature ' s feeding zooids employ unique red
lures
at the tips of some tentacles to catch unwitting passers - by . to the fish that fall for the alluring bait , the red fluorescent tip looks just like a fat , juicy crustacean . the dangling blobs themselves are harmless , but nearby tentacles are equipped with a battery of potent stinging cells , that make quick work of the small fish .
photophores contained within the tips are responsible for producing the red light . mbari scientist steven haddock believes the lures are an adaptation for living at depth , where food is scarce and fish are even scarcer .
some bioluminescent species get really cranky when you disturb them . tomopteris , a tiny marine worm , erupts into a shower of angry sparks and unloads its eggs into the water before rapidly undulating away . what is unusual about this worm is that the sparks it shoots from its paddle - shaped swimming legs are golden yellow in color and not blue , like practically every other bioluminescent organism .
other marine worms are thought to release glowing blue particles into the water to make themselves look less tasty to hungry predators . few deep - living species have the ability to detect yellow light , which , because it has a higher wavelength , gets absorbed in the shallow surface waters , so it is unclear why tomopteris uses it . for the moment , researchers are still trying to suss out the chemistry of the yellow luminescence , which may yield some clues about its unique function .
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herring , p . j . in the mollusca vol . ii ( ed . wilbur , k . m . ) 449 - 489 ( academic , new york , 1988 ) .
chun , c . report on the scientific results of the “michael sars” north atlantic deep - sea expedition 1910 ( 1913 ) .
budelmann , b . u . et al . in microscopic anatomy of invertebrates ( eds harrison , f . w . & kohn , a . j . ) 119 - 414 ( wiley - liss , new york , 1997 ) .
buck , j . in bioluminescence in action ( ed . herring , p . j . ) 419 - 456 ( academic , new york , 1978 ) .
hanlon , r . t . & messenger , j . b . cephalopod behaviour ( cambridge univ . press , 1996 ) .
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