Holistic description of new deep sea megafauna (Cephalopoda: Cirrata) using a minimally invasive approach

摘要: In zoology, species descriptions conventionally rely on invasive morphological techniques, frequently leading to damage of the specimens and thus only a partial understanding their structural complexity. More recently, non-destructive imaging techniques have successfully been used describe smaller fauna, but this approach has so far not applied identify or larger animal species. Here, we present combination entirely non-invasive as well minimally methods that permit taxonomic large zoological in more comprehensive manner. Using single available representative an allegedly novel deep-sea cephalopod (Mollusca: Cephalopoda), digital photography, standardized external measurements, high-field magnetic resonance imaging, micro-computed tomography, DNA barcoding were combined gather all molecular characters relevant for full description. The results show specimen belongs cirrate octopod (Octopoda: Cirrata) genus Grimpoteuthis Robson, 1932. Based number suckers, position web nodules, cirrus length, presence radula, various shell characters, is designated holotype new dumbo octopus, G. imperator sp. nov. nature acquired data permits seamless online deposition raw derived datasets publicly accessible repositories. high-resolution, systems intended analysis biological objects, internal character states identification megafaunal obtained. Potentially harmful effects unique avoided by scanning fixed without admixture contrast agent. Additional support placement octopus was obtained through barcoding, further underlining importance combining holistic description specimens.