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In situ observations of three deep-sea cephalopods in the central Mediterranean Sea

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Abstract

The development of in situ observational tools has significantly contributed to the study of deep-sea cephalopods and exploration of their habitat in the last decades. In this paper, we report in situ observations of rarely observed deep-sea Mediterranean cephalopods (Chiroteuthis veranyi, Chtenopteryx sicula, and Octopoteuthis sicula). These cephalopods were encountered during a scientific expedition, aimed at characterizing the biodiversity of a deep-sea area in the northern Ionian Sea. Images and video were collected by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) between 537 and 1248 m. Chromatic, postural, locomotor, and bioluminescent behavioral components were reported for each species. This was the first time that O. sicula was filmed in its habitat and all individuals showed hovering and an arm spread posture with the arm tips exposed, producing an intermittent bioluminescence. Furthermore, our observations on six living specimens of C. sicula represent exceptional events, since this species was only observed once in the eastern Mediterranean in 2012. Overall, five females and a mature male of C. sicula were observed; the male had a large dorsal light organ. Finally, an individual of C. veranyi was observed consuming a large lanternfish (Myctophidae). In the near future, in situ explorations in the Mediterranean should be implemented to shed light on deep-sea cephalopods inhabiting this basin and fill information gaps on the biology, ecology, and behavior of elusive species.

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Data availability

The datasets analysed during the current study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr Teresa Romeo, Dr Daniela Pica, Dr Frine Cardone, Dr Valentina Costa, Dr Antonio Giova, Dr Valeria Palummo, Dr Gennaro Ucciero, Dr Martina Genovese, Dr Francesco Stenico.

Funding

This study was funded by Renantis—Falck Renewables.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, C/O Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167, Messina, Italy

    Pietro Battaglia

  2. Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Po 25C, 00198, Rome, Italy

    Simonepietro Canese, Eva Salvati & Silvestro Greco

  3. Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Center, C.da Torre Spaccata, 87071, Amendolara, CS, Italy

    Silvestro Greco

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Contributions

PB and SC contributed to the study conception. SC, ES and SG contributed to the sampling design. SC and SE supervised the ROV survey at sea. PB performed the video and data analysis, writing also the first draft. All authors reviewed and revised the first draft and gave final approval for submission.

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Correspondence to Pietro Battaglia.

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Surveys were conducted by ROV and no cephalopod samples were collected during the study. Activities were cpnducted with all applicable permits in place.

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Supplementary file1 Video_1 Octopoteuthis sicula in its habitat showing an arm spread posture with the arm tips exposed, producing an intermittent bioluminescence (MOV 118414 KB)

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Battaglia, P., Canese, S., Salvati, E. et al. In situ observations of three deep-sea cephalopods in the central Mediterranean Sea. Mar Biol 170, 151 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04264-7

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