Geographic distribution of Thysanoteuthis rhombus (Cephalopoda, Thysanotetidae) on the Brazilian coast

Abstract

possess similar measurements (Table 1) and represent the southern occurrence of the species on Brazil (Table 2) (Figure 1). Despite the length of the Brazilian coast and the 200 miles of exclusive economic area offshore, the capture of Thysanoteuthis rhombus adults (Figure 2) in this country is rare. These are incidental and are part of the bycatch of fisheries targeting the ommastrephid squid Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) (Haimovici and Peres 1991). There is no directed fishing fleet for T. rhombus in Brazil. Nevertheless, T. rhombus has been considered as a target species with commercial interest in the Canary Islands (Báez and Marrero 2007; Pérez et al. 2012). In Japan, the annual catch increased from 339 tons in 1989 to almost 6000 tons in 2001, and during 1998–2003 the average catch was close to 4900 tons (Bower and Miyahara 2005). In Brazil, their presence was generally recorded indirectly by larvae (Nigmatullin et al. 1995; Haimovici et al. 2002) or stomach contents with beaks and partially digested specimens (Santos and Haimovici 2001, 2002; Vaske 2005; Vaske and Lessa 2005). Their low incidence is seen by the lack of representativeness in the stomachs of oceanic fishes (Vaske 2005; Leite et al. 2009). We observed that, despite the limited data available, distribution of mature individuals in the Atlantic South is connected to the Brazil Current, with northern and southern distribution between 23° and 36° S (Brunetti et al. 1999; Haimovici et al. 1989). The Brazil Current begins at about 10° S. Near 12° C the continental shelf becomes wider and this current separates slightly from the coast (Peterson and Stramma 1991). Here, Nigmatullin et al. The diamondback squid, Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857, is a large (100–130 cm mantle length), muscular, nektonic squid. The mantle is think and muscular, tapering to a blunt tip posteriorly. The fins are long, broad, and rhombic in form and occupy the entire length of mantle. The tentacular clubs have four rows of suckers, arm with two rows of suckers, buccal connectives attached to ventral borders of arms IV (Roper and Jereb 2010). As unique species of the family Thysanoteuthidae Keferstein, 1866, this species is a common circumglobal inhabitant of warm tropical and subtropical open waters. This species was already recorded at India (Batcha et al. 2009), Sulawesi (Billings et al. 2000), the Aegean (Salman et al. 2003; Salman 2012), Adriatic Sea (Bello 2009), Arabian Mediterranean (Chesalin and Zuyev 2002) and Caribbean Sea (Pulido-Lopez and Lopez-Pinto 2002; Salvat-Torres et al. 2009; Roper and Jereb 2010). In the Atlantic Ocean, Thysanoteuthis rhombus occurs from latitude 30° N to 36° S and its southernmost distribution is bounded the displacement of the waters of the Brazilian Current (Brunetti et al. 1999). Thysanoteuthis rhombus has been known in Brazilian waters since 1985 but there is neither material deposited in scientific collections nor officially published records (Ferreira 1987). Records of both juvenile and adult individuals of T. rhombus from along the Brazilian coast are scarce, and for the Southern Atlantic Ocean, there are only three records in the literature (Haimovici et al. 1989; Haimovici and Perez 1991; Brunetti et al. 1999). Herein we report the presence of two adult specimens of the diamondback squid, T. rhombus, collected along the southern coast of Brazil. The two female specimens were captured and collected by longline vessel at Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (31°40′00″ S 49°27′00″ W) and are housed at the mollusc collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP 97741 and MZSP 97740). Measurements follow Jereb et al. (2010) and were taken with a measuring tape and a scale. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin solution and preserved in 70% alcohol. Both specimens Abstract: Data on two female individuals of the diamonback squid, Thysanoteuthis rhombus, are presented with discussion of occurrences along the Brazilian coast.

Full text

939
Journal of species lists and distribution
Chec List
Not e s o N GeoGraphic DistributioN
Check List 10(4): 939–942, 2014
© 2014 Check List and Authors
ISSN 1809-127X (available at www.checklist.org.br)
possess similar measurements (Table 1) and represent
the southern occurrence of the species on Brazil (Table 2)
(Figure 1).
Despite the length of the Brazilian coast and the 200
miles of exclusive economic area offshore, the capture of
Thysanoteuthis rhombus adults (Figure 2) in this country
is rare. These are incidental and are part of the bycatch of
Ommastrephes
bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) (Haimovici and Peres 1991).
 T. rhombus in Brazil.
Nevertheless, T. rhombus has been considered as a target
species with commercial interest in the Canary Islands
(Báez and Marrero 2007; Pérez et al. 2012). In Japan, the
annual catch increased from 339 tons in 1989 to almost
6000 tons in 2001, and during 1998–2003 the average
catch was close to 4900 tons (Bower and Miyahara 2005).
In Brazil, their presence was generally recorded indirectly
by larvae (Nigmatullin et al. 1995; Haimovici et al. 2002)
or stomach contents with beaks and partially digested
specimens (Santos and Haimovici 2001, 2002; Vaske 2005;
Vaske and Lessa 2005). Their low incidence is seen by
the lack of representativeness in the stomachs of oceanic
et al. 2009).
We observed that, despite the limited data available,
distribution of mature individuals in the Atlantic South
is connected to the Brazil Current, with northern and
southern distribution between 23° and 36° S (Brunetti et
al. 1999; Haimovici et al. 1989). The Brazil Current begins
at about 10° S. Near 12° C the continental shelf becomes
wider and this current separates slightly from the coast
(Peterson and Stramma 1991). Here, Nigmatullin et al.
   Thysanoteuthis rhombus
Troschel, 1857, is a large (100–130 cm mantle length),
       
    
long, broad, and rhombic in form and occupy the entire
length of mantle. The tentacular clubs have four rows of
suckers, arm with two rows of suckers, buccal connectives
attached to ventral borders of arms IV (Roper and Jereb
   
Keferstein, 1866, this species is a common circumglobal
inhabitant of warm tropical and subtropical open waters.
This species was already recorded at India (Batcha et al.
2009), Sulawesi (Billings et al. 2000), the Aegean (Salman
et al. 2003; Salman 2012), Adriatic Sea (Bello 2009),
Arabian Mediterranean (Chesalin and Zuyev 2002) and
Caribbean Sea (Pulido-Lopez and Lopez-Pinto 2002;
Salvat-Torres et al. 2009; Roper and Jereb 2010).
In the Atlantic Ocean, Thysanoteuthis rhombus occurs
from latitude 30° N to 36° S and its southernmost
distribution is bounded the displacement of the waters of
the Brazilian Current (Brunetti et al. 1999). Thysanoteuthis
rhombus has been known in Brazilian waters since 1985
       
     
1987). Records of both juvenile and adult individuals
of T. rhombus from along the Brazilian coast are scarce,
and for the Southern Atlantic Ocean, there are only three
records in the literature (Haimovici et al. 1989; Haimovici
and Perez 1991; Brunetti et al. 1999). Herein we report
the presence of two adult specimens of the diamondback
 T. rhombus, collected along the southern coast of
Brazil.
The two female specimens were captured and collected
by longline vessel at Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
″ S 49°27′00″ W) and are housed at the mollusc
collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de
São Paulo (MZSP 97741 and MZSP 97740). Measurements
follow Jereb et al. (2010) and were taken with a measuring

       
DataThysanoteuthis rhombus, are presented with discussion
of occurrences along the Brazilian coast.
1 Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Department of Malacology, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, USA 19103.
2 Capes Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, CEP 70040-020, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
3 Terra Nativa Ecoturismo, Rua Manuel de Paiva, 257, CEP 04106-020, Vila Mariana, SP, Brazil.
* Corresponding author. E-mail: carlomagenta@gmail.com
Carlo M. Cunha 1, 2* and Luciano E. Oliveira 3
Geographic distribution of Thysanoteuthis rhombus
(Cephalopoda, Thysanoteuthidae) on the Brazilian coast
DOI: 10.15560/10.4.939
  
Total Length 126 125
Mantle Length 68 62
Arm Length 50 53
Fin Length 67 64
Head Width 18 18
  Biometric data of the two adult specimens of Thysanoteuthis
rhombus herein reported.

940
Cunha and Oliveira | Thysanoteuthis rhombus on the Brazilian coast

 
LOCATION SOURCE REMARKS
1 03/viii/1985 26°30′00″ S 45°52′30″ W Ferreira 1987 
2 27/vii/1986 28°10′00″ S 46°39′00″ W Ferreira 1987 
3 viii/1986 22°56′12″ S 42°28′51″ W Haimovici et al. 1989 
4 1986-1987 Off Rio Grande
do Sul
Haimovici and Perez 1991 Captured with a dipnet, at night with the ship stopped and deck lights
were lit.
5 1975-1990 northeast coast of Brazil Nigmatullin et al. 1995 Larvae captured by zoological trawls and Isaacs-Kidd trawl at depth
ranging from 0 to 100 m
6 iii/1999 33° 30′ S
41° 30′ W
Brunetti et al. 1999 
 Chronology of records of Thysanoteuthis rhombus in the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
(1995) recorded T. rhombus larvae. The Brazil Current
separation from the continental shelf varies anywhere
between 33° S–38° S but it is usually about 36° S (Podesta
et al       
Malvinas (Falkland) Current. The Brazil Current is
 
      
(Saraceno et al. 2004). We conclude that the distribution
of the Thysanoteuthis rhombus   
zone between the Brazil and Malvinas Currents. We also
conclude that the presence of adult individuals indicate
that this species can breed in Brazilian waters.
 We thank the crew of longline vessel Quebra-
Mar provided the specimens studied, Ademir Guerreiro for his help with
logistic processes; Dr. José E. Marian (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil)
for references; and, Robert Forsyth (subject editor for Check List) for the
helpful comments. This work was partially supported by Fundação de


(CMC).

Báez, A. and M.F. Marrero. 2007. Manual de Identificación de las Principales
Espécies Pesqueras. Gran Canaria: Excmo. Cabildo Insular de Gran
Canaria. 112 pp.
Batcha, H., R. Thangavelu, P. Poovannan and G. Srinivasan. 2009. Rare
Thysanoteuthis rhombus (Troschel,
1867) off Chennai coast. Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Marine Fisheries Information Service Technical and Extension Series
201: 14–15.
Bello, G. 2009. On the presence of Thysanoteuthis rhombus (Cephalopoda:
Thysanoteuthidae) in the Adriatic Sea. Marine Biodiversity Records 2:
1–2 (doi: 10.1017/S1755267209990819).
Billings, V.C., M. Sullivan and K. Vine. 2000. Sighting of Thysanoteuthis
rhombus egg mass in Indonesian waters and observations of
embryonic development. Journal of the Marine Biological Association
of the United Kingdom 80(6): 1139–1140.
   Thysanoteuthis
rhombusFisheries
Research 73(1–2): 1–11 (doi: .).
Brunetti, N.E., M.L. Ivanovic and M. Sakai. 1999. Calamares de Importancia
Comercial em La Argentina. Biología, Distribución, Pesquerias,
Muestreo Biológico. Mar Del Plata: Instituto Nacional de Investigación

Chesalin, M.V. and G.V. Zuyev. 2002. Pelagic cephalopods of the Arabian
Sea with an emphasis on Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis. Bulletin of
Marine Science 71(1): 209–221.
Ferreira, L.A. 1987. Primeiro registro de ocorrência da Lula Gigante
Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschell, 1857 no litoral brasileiro. In
Programa e Resumos X Encontro Brasileiro de Malacologia SBM IB-
USP. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo.
Haimovici, M., J.A.A. Perez and P.A.S. Costa P.A.S. 1989. A review of
cephalopods occurring in the waters of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Revista Brasileira de Biologia 49(2):
503–510.
Haimovici, M. and J.A.A. Perez. 1991. Abundância e distribuição de cefalópodes

e talude continental do Brasil. Atlântica 13(1): 189–200.
Haimovici, M., U. Piatkowski and R.A. Santos. 2002. Cephalopod paralarvae
around tropical seamounts and oceanic islands off the northeastern
coast of Brazil. Bulletin of Marine Science 71(1): 313–330.
Jereb, P., C.F.E. Roper and M. Vecchione. 2010. Introduction; pp. 1–11,
in: P. Jereb and C.F.E. Roper (eds.). Cephalopods of the World. An
Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Cephalopod Species Known
to Date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. Rome: FAO Species
Catalogue for Fishery Purposes.
Leite, T.S., L.C.A. Andrade, M. Haimovici, R.S. Aguiar and J.E.L. Oliveira.
2009. Lulas e polvos; pp. 138–147, 332–333, in: D.L. Vianda, F.H.V.
Hazin and M.A.C. Souza (eds.). O Arquipélago de São Pedro e São
Paulo: 10 anos de Estação Científica. Brasília: SECIRM.
Nigmatullin, C.M., A.I. Arkhipkim and R.M. Sabirov. 1995. Age, growth
     Thysanoteuthis
rhombus (Oegopsida: Thysanoteuthidae). Marine Ecology Progress
Series 124: 73–87.
Pérez, A.E., R.R. Elena, Á.F. González and A.G. Sierra. 2012. On
        
Thysanoteuthis rhombusTroschel, 1857 in the subtropical eastern
Atlantic (Canary Islands). A potential commercial species? ZooKeys
222: 69–76 (doi: 10.3897/zookeys.222.2835).
Peterson, R.G. and L. Stramma. 1991. Upper-level circulation in the South
Atlantic Ocean. Progress in Oceanography 26(1): 1–73.
Podesta, G.P., O.B. Brown and R.H. Evans. 1991. The annual
cycle of satellite-derived sea surface temperature in the
Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Journal of Climate 4:457–467 (doi:
).
Pulido-Lopez, P.C. and Y.A. Lopez-Pinto. 2002. First record of
   Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857
  Distribution map of adult individuals of Thysanoteuthis
rhombus catch in Brazil. Abbreviations: 1, Haimovici et al. 1989; 2 and 3,
Ferreira 1987; 4, MZSP 97741 and MZSP 97740; RJ, Rio de Janeiro; SP, São
Paulo; PR, Paraná; SC, Santa Catarina; RS, Rio Grande do Sul.

941
Cunha and Oliveira | Thysanoteuthis rhombus on the Brazilian coast
(Cephalopoda: Teuthida: Oegopsina) in the Colombian Caribbean
Sea. Boletin de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras 31:239–241
(http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid
=S0122-97612002000100013).
Roper, C.F.E. and P. Jereb. 2010. Family Thysanoteuthidae; pp. 384–387,
in: P. Jereb, and C.F.E. Roper (eds.). Cephalopods of the World. An
Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Cephalopod Species Known
to Date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. Rome: FAO Species
Catalogue for Fishery Purposes.
Salman A. 2012. Two new records of paralarva in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Cephalopoda: Mollusca). Journal of the Black
Sea/Mediterranean Environment 18(2): 197–207 (http://www.
blackmeditjournal.org/pdf/vol18no2pdf9.pdf).
Salman, A., T. Katagan and H.A. Benli. 2003. Vertical distribution and
abundance of juvenile cephalopods in the Aegean Sea. Scientia
Marina 67(2): 167–176 (http://www.icm.csic.es/scimar/download.
php/Cd/f6315d7e5f1cdc667a900a0cc321079d/IdArt/3074).
Salvat-Torres, H.M., L.C. Avila and M.G. Bermejo. 2009. A new record for the
Thysanoteuthis rhombus
(Mollusca: Cephalopoda). Revista de Investigaciones Marinas 30(3):
227–239 (http://www.cim.uh.cu/rim/pdf/2009/3/2009-237.pdf).
Santos, R.A. and M. Haimovici. 2001. Cephalopods in the diet of marine
mammals stranded or incidentally caught along southeastern and
southern Brazil (21–34°S). Fisheries Research 52(1): 99–112.
Santos, R.A. and M. Haimovici. 2002. Cephalopods in the trophic relations
off southern Brazil. Bulletin of Marine Science 71(2): 753–770.
Saraceno, M., C. Provost, A.R. Piola, J. Bava and A. Gagliardini. 2004. Brazil
Malvinas Frontal System as seen from 9 years of advanced very high
resolution radiometer data. Journal of Geophysical Research 109(C5):
C05027 (doi: 10.1029/2003JC002127).
Vaske Jr. T. 2005. Cefalópodes oceânicos da zona econômica exclusiva do
nordeste do Brasil. Boletim do Instituto de Pesca 31(2): 137–146.
Vaske Jr., T. and R.P. Lessa. 2005. Estratégia alimentar do espadarte, Xiphias
gladius, no Nordeste do Brasil. Tropical Oceanography 33(2): 219–217
(http://www.ufpe.br/tropicaloceanography/artigos_completos_
resumos_t_d/33_2005_2_vaske_jr.pdf ).
January 2014
June 2014
September 2014
Robert G. Forsyth
 Thysanoteuthis rhombus, MZSP 97741 (total length = 126 mm). A: Dorsal view. B: Same, ventral view.