Biodiversity & Conservation

North Atlantic octopus - Bathypolypus arcticus

Bathypolypus arcticus

Image - Line drawing of Bathypolypus arcticus.
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Distribution map

Bathypolypus arcticus recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

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Bathypolypus arcticus is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Mollusca Snails, slugs, mussels, cockles, clams & squid
Class Cephalopoda Cuttlefish, nautilus, octopus & squid
Authority Prosch, 1849
Recent synonyms None
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland All British and Irish coasts.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Most frequently found on sandy and muddy bottoms but they must move to rocky areas to spawn.
Text page icon Description Bathypolypus arcticus is a squat, short-armed octopus between 6-10 cm in length, that lacks an ink sac.
Identifying features
  • Mantle globular, nearly as wide as long.
  • Surface of mantle, head, arms and web covered in warts, especially around the eyes.
  • Arms short, irregular order.
  • Suckers small and biserial.
Additional information icon Additional information No text entered

This review can be cited as follows:

Emily Wilson 2006. Bathypolypus arcticus. North Atlantic octopus. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 09/02/2010]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=2736>