REDESCRIPTION OF THE SOUTHERN DUMPLING SQUID EUPRYMNA-TASMANICA AND AREVISION OF THE GENUS EUPRYMNA (CEPHALOPODA, SEPIOLIDAE)

Recent attention to members of the sepiolid squid genus Euprymna and s ymbiotic associations with luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri strai ns) has prompted a review of this poorly-resolved group of squids. Twe lve nominal species have been placed in this genus of which the majori ty are ill-defined, known only from their original descriptions and se parated on the basis of inadequate characters. As a first step in reso lving this group, a temperate Australian species, the Southern dumplin g squid, Euprymna tasmanica, is here redescribed in detail. As the gen us Euprymna currently stands, most members are only distinguished on t he number and position of enlarged suckers in mature males. No diagnos tic characters are available to identify females. All nominal species placed in this genus are reviewed and a key to proposed valid species is presented. Six species are considered here to be valid: Euprymna be rryi,E. hoylei, E. morsel, E. scolopes, E. tasmanica and an undescribe d species treated here as Euprymna sp. 1. Euprymna similis is a synony m of E. morsel of Japan. Due to inadequate original descriptions, and lost or poor type material, two species are considered here to be nome n dubia (E. schneehageni and E. pusilla), while the taxonomic status o f four additional species remain unresolved (E. albatrossae, E. bursa, E. phenax and E. stenodactyla).