Enteroctopus megalocyathus

Enteroctopus megalocyathus, also known as the southern red octopus, is a medium-sized octopus, and the type species for the genus Enteroctopus.

Size and description

E. megalocyathus is a relatively large octopus, though not as large as some other giant octopuses, with an average mass of around 4 kg,^[1] a mantle length of 22.5 cm,^[2] and in excess of 1 m in total length.^[3] E. megalocyathus, like other octopuses in the genus Enteroctopus, has longitudinal folds and grooves on the body and large, paddle-like papillae.^[4]

Fisheries

E. megalocyathus is one of the two commercially significant octopuses in Chilean waters, along with Octopus mimus. Yearly catch of the two octopuses fluctuates between 2000 and 5000 tons.^[1]

Predators

Like most octopuses, E. megalocyathus is a choice meal for many predators larger than it. E. megalocyathus has been shown to be a major dietary component of beaked skates (Dipturus chilensis), spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias),^[5] and the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens).^[6]

Range

This octopus is native to the southeastern coast of South America along the coasts of Argentina and Chile up to the Chiloé Archipelago, and the Falkland Islands.^[2]

References

External links

• E. megalocyathusImages of , many of which show the longitudinal folds of the body and paddle-like papillae that characterize this genus.

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