Enteroctopus magnificus

Enteroctopus magnificus, also known as the southern giant octopus, is a large octopus in the genus Enteroctopus. It is native to the waters off Namibia and South Africa.

Southern giant octopus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Enteroctopodidae
Genus: Enteroctopus
Species:
E. magnificus
Binomial name
Enteroctopus magnificus
(Villanueva, Sanchez & Compagno, 1992)
Distribution of E. magnificus
Synonyms
  • Octopus magnificus
    Villanueva, Sanchez & Compagno, 1992

Description

E. magnificus bears the distinctive characteristics of the genus Enteroctopus, including longitudinal folds on the body and large, paddle-like papillae. E. magnificus is a large octopus, reaching total lengths of up to 1.8 m[1] and a mass of 11.4 kg.[2]

Range and habitat

E. magnificus occurs from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is found primarily on sand and mud flats from shallow subtidal areas to about 1000 m depth.[1]

Predators

E. magnificus is predated on by the South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) and the leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus).[2]

Diet

Like many octopuses, E. magnificus is a generalist predator. The chief food source for this octopus is the deep-sea portunid crab Bathynectes piperitus. Other major prey items include the Cape hagfish (Myxine capensis), the crab species Pontophilus gracilis, and hermit crabs in the genus Parapagurus.[2]

Fisheries

E. magnificus is only collected by trawl and in lobster pots. Harvest of this octopus is small, mainly as a finfish trawl fisheries by-catch.[1]

References
  1. Norman, M. (2003). Cephalopods: A World Guide. ConchBooks: Heckenhaim, Germany. pp. 213–216.
  2. Villanueva, R. (1993). Diet and mandibular growth of Octopus magnificus (Cephalopoda). South African Journal of Marine Science 13: 121–126.
  • "CephBase: Enteroctopus magnificus". Archived from the original on 2005.


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