Dr. John Turnbull, Marine Explorer, Australien
Info
Gray, 1849
The first-class photos by John Turnbull show a dwarf sepia endemic to Australia, which exhibits a pronounced
sexual dimorphism (sexual dimorphism) due to its difference in size:
Reproductively mature females reach just 7.7cm, to bring a vivid comparison, about 1.5cm larger than a standard matchbox, whereas the males can grow up to 12.4cm.
For such tiny creatures, there are numerous dangers from predators in the ocean, which the small cuttlefish tries to master using various tactics. It can adapt almost perfectly to its surroundings, especially areas with pronounced red coralline algae, and disappear into the smallest cracks or crevices in the reef.
According to their size, only comparably small benthic prey is on their menu.
Imports of the cuttlefish are not known, and as the animals do not have a long lifespan, keeping them in an aquarium would only be justifiable for scientific research.
Synonyms:
Ascarosepion verreauxi Rochebrune, 1884 · unaccepted (synonym)
Sepia mestus Gray, 1849 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Solitosepia liliana Iredale, 1926 · unaccepted (synonym)
The first-class photos by John Turnbull show a dwarf sepia endemic to Australia, which exhibits a pronounced
sexual dimorphism (sexual dimorphism) due to its difference in size:
Reproductively mature females reach just 7.7cm, to bring a vivid comparison, about 1.5cm larger than a standard matchbox, whereas the males can grow up to 12.4cm.
For such tiny creatures, there are numerous dangers from predators in the ocean, which the small cuttlefish tries to master using various tactics. It can adapt almost perfectly to its surroundings, especially areas with pronounced red coralline algae, and disappear into the smallest cracks or crevices in the reef.
According to their size, only comparably small benthic prey is on their menu.
Imports of the cuttlefish are not known, and as the animals do not have a long lifespan, keeping them in an aquarium would only be justifiable for scientific research.
Synonyms:
Ascarosepion verreauxi Rochebrune, 1884 · unaccepted (synonym)
Sepia mestus Gray, 1849 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Solitosepia liliana Iredale, 1926 · unaccepted (synonym)
