Megaleledone

Megaleledone
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Megaleledonidae
Genus: Megaleledone
Taki, 1961
Species:
M. setebos
Binomial name
Megaleledone setebos
(Robson, 1932)
Synonyms
  • Graneledone setebos
    Robson, 1932
  • Megaleledone senoi
    Taki, 1961
  • Pareledone senoi
    (Taki, 1961)

Megaleledone setebos, the giant Antarctic octopus, is a very large venomous octopus with a circum-Antarctic distribution. It grows to at least 28 cm in mantle length and 90 cm in total length.[1] M. setebos feeds by drilling small holes in large, shelled mollusks, and then injecting its toxic saliva. The venom even works at subfreezing temperatures.[2]

This species was transferred to the genus Megaleledone and synonymised with Megaleledone senoi in a 2003 paper.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Allcock, A.L.; Hochberg, F.G. & Stranks, T.N. (2003). "Re-evaluation of Graneledone setebos (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) and allocation to the genus Megaleledone". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 83 (2): 319–328. doi:10.1017/S0025315403007148h. S2CID 82256628.
  2. ^ "Antarctic octopuses found with cold-resistant venom". Reuters. July 22, 2010.


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