Brachioteuthis

Brachioteuthis is a genus of squid comprising six species which are circumglobally distributed. Members of this genus have a generally small (6-14 cm) mantle length.

==Morphology== Adult Brachioteuthids are often characterized as having a rhomboidal or heart-shaped fin, a long slender, and muscular mantle hat is supported by a gladius. The funnel locking cartilage in Brachioteuthis is a simple, straight groove. The arms of all brachioteuthids have biserial suckers, with the males typically displaying a hectocotylus on arms IV. The tentacle club in brachioteuthis is substantially different than other oegopsid squids’. The proximal manus contains numerous transverse rows of small, stalked suckers, which become larger suckers towards the distal manus. The dactylus begins with typically four suckers and progresses to three suckers down the remainder of the club before reaching the terminal pad. The terminal pad contains an empty patch that is surrounded by small sessile suckers. The sections of the club are typically poorly differentiated. In mature males there are typically small tubercles on the mantle, and in some species, the tubercles are connected or covered by a reticulated net.