title: Morphological and morphometric variability of the squid Lolliguncula brevis (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) in Brazilian waters: evidence for two species in the Western Atlantic?
abstract: Morphological and morphometric variability of the small-sized coastal squid Lolliguncula brevis was assessed along the largest part of its latitudinal range in the southern hemisphere, off the Brazilian coast (8º S - 27º S). A general homogeneity in form was found throughout the entire latitudinal range. In terms of body proportions, no latitudinal gradients were evident, but a few local "morphotypes" could be distinguished. The distinctive egg mass morphology, and size and form features, including a hectocotylus 20-40% longer than the opposing ventral arm and the presence of suckers on the buccal membrane, indicated that Lolliguncula from northern and southern hemispheres might comprise two different taxa.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. taniazaleski@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zaleski
authors.forename: José A Angel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Ana Luiza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gandara-Martins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001938:Brazil; D049832:Decapodiformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D008297:Male