BIOGEOGRAPHY OF OCTOPUS SPECIES (CEPHALOPODA, OCTOPODIDAE) FROM SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA

Seven species of inshore, benthic octopuses have been recorded from te mperate waters off southeastern Australia. Studies on aspects of repro ductive biology show that five species (Octopus berrima Stranks and No rman, 1993; O. bunurong Stranks, 1990; O. kaurna Stranks, 1990; O. pal lidus Hoyle, 1885; and O. superciliosus Quoy and Gaimard, 1832) produc e large eggs (8-14 mm long) in low numbers (10s or 100s), and have hat chlings that immediately adopt a benthic existence. Another two specie s (O. maorum Hutton, 1880, and O. warringa Stranks, 1990) produce smal l to medium eggs (2-7 mm long) in high numbers (1000s), with juveniles that are temporarily planktonic before settling out to the benthos. T he distribution of these species is influenced by regional oceanograph ic factors such as the Leeuwin Current, West Wind Drift, and East Aust ralian Current. The five species with direct development have limited means for dispersal, and are restricted in distribution to waters off southeastern Australia; the other two species with indirect developmen t have the potential for long-range dispersal through the waters off s outheastern Australia, the Tasman Sea, and New Zealand.