This rarely documented cranchiid was first identified from the Kermadec Islands, and specimens have since been discovered in waters around Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It is currently placed in the genus Liguriella (originally by Nesis, 1982 and supported by Evans, 2018) because some of its morphological features are similar to the other extant member of the genus; however, there is still debate regarding the appropriate systematic placement for this species. Unfortunately, all current descriptions are based on the type specimen, a juvenile.
Liguriella pardus has been exclusively described from the south pacific waters around Australia and New Zealand.
As stated above, the systematic placement of this taxon has been debated over the past century. Voss (1985) synonomised L. pardus with Teuthowenia pellucida Chun, 1910; however, the type specimen has some key morphological differences that distinguish it from T. pellucida. The eye lacks the telltale third photophore present in all members of the genus (and should be developing at that size), and has a distinct eye sinus at the oral mid-line (a feature not present in Teuthowenia). Although morphologically similar in many other ways, the arm suckers provide an additional piece of information. Teuthowenia pellucida’s arm suckers lack teeth; however, the type specimen for L. pardus has 8-10 clearly defined blunt teeth on the distal portion of the sucker ring; therefore, Voss’ synonymy appears incorrect.
The holotype also shares some morphological similarities to Megalocranchia; however, is missing the development of the indicative internal photophore the genus is known for. The body proportions, arms lengths, and expanded clubs are more reminiscent of members of Megalocranchia at a similar size; however, in all examined specimens the internal photophore has already begun developing by 50 mm ML.
As stated previously, this taxon has been put into the genus Liguriella as a ‘best fit’ scenario, and further taxonomic investigation may prove that it belongs elsewhere, or in a genus of its own.
Liguriella pardus
Megalocranchia pardus Berry, 1916
Vossoteuthis pardus Nesis, 1974
Fusocranchia pellucida Imber, 1978
Teuthowenia pellucida Voss, 1985
Liguriella pardus Nesis, 1987
Berry, S. S. (1916). Cephalopods of the Kermadec Islands. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 68, 45–66.
Evans, A. B. (2018). A systematic review of the squid family Cranchiidae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida) in the Pacific Ocean. PhD diss., Auckland University of Technology.
Nesis, K. N. (1982/87). Abridged key to the cephalopod mollusks of the world's ocean. 385,ii pp. Light and Food Industry Publishing House, Moscow. (In Russian.). Translated into English by B. S. Levitov, ed. by L. A. Burgess (1987), Cephalopods of the world. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ, 351pp.
Voss, N. A. (1985). Systematics, biology and biogeography of the cranchiid cephalopod genus Teuthowenia (Oegopsida). Bulletin of marine science, 36(1), 1-85.