Tehuelche Octopus

Octopus tehuelchus Orbigny, 1835 (in 1835–1847)

DIAGNOSIS.—Mantle spherical, about as wide as long (MWI 105); head moderate in width; eyes small. Funnel long and narrow. Arms moderate to long (ALI 81), arm formula IV > I = III > IV; longest arms with about 100 suckers. Web shallow. Mantle smooth. Color in life blackish brown dorsally along mantle and head and aboral surfaces of arms, oral surfaces of arms light blue.

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION.—Orbigny, 1835:25 (in 1835–1847), pl. 1: figs. 6, 7.

TYPE LOCALITY.—Western South Atlantic Ocean, Argentina, Bahia de San Blas, among rocks.

TYPE.—Holotype: MNHN, female?, 164 mm TL, no longer extant (fide Palacio, 1977).

DISTRIBUTION.—Uncertain; given by Palacio (1977) as southwestern Atlantic from Buenos Aires southward to Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdez.