Notonykia nesisi

N. nesisi is the second known species of Notonykia.  It occurs in the southern waters of New Zealand, south of the Subtropical Convergence, and differs from N. africanae primarily in the tentacular club morphology. The largest known specimen is about 100 mm ML and is immature.

Tentacles

Tentacle length 85-115% ML

Carpus with 7-9 suckers

Manus with 6-18 hooks; longest ventral hooks slender, 'J'-shaped in lateral profile

Figure.  Oral view of left tentacle club, N. nesisi. Photograph by K. Bolstad.
 
 
 
Figure.  Ventral view of left tentacle club, N. nesisi. Photograph by K. Bolstad.

 

 

Head

Beaks: Descriptions can be found here: Lower beak; upper beak.

 

Sub-Antarctic, primarily over and south of Chatham Rise, off the coast of New Zealand, 950−0 m, most commonly in the upper 30 m. No confirmed distribution records outside the South Pacific.

Bolstad, K.S. 2007. Systematics and distribution of the New Zealand onychoteuthid fauna (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida), including a new species, Notonykia nesisi sp. nov. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 17:305-335.