Sepia reesi Adam 1979

Sepia reesi Adam, 1979

DIAGNOSIS.—Sepion (Figure 21) elongate, acuminate anteriorly, broadly rounded posteriorly. Dorsal surface salmon colored, with distinct median rib, surface smooth anteriorly, weakly granulose on remaining part. Ventral surface with narrow median groove along entire striated zone and on greater part of last loculus. Striated zone long, StrZI 71–78 (fide Adam, 1979); striae nearly straight, transverse in posterior portion, becoming more reversed V-shaped anteriorly. Inner cone with long, narrow, rounded limbs, bluntly rounded posteriorly surrounding shallow depression, limbs disappearing gradually toward middle of striated zone. Outer cone narrow, slightly enlarged posteriorly as 2 small lateral wings; posterior outer cone continuous between spine and inner cone. Spine rounded, turned upward but not curved.

ORIGINAL REFERENCE.—Adam, 1979:200, pl. 4: fig. 3.

TYPE LOCALITY.—Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island, WA (32°00′S, 115°30′E).

TYPE.—Holotype: WAM 497-76, by original designation, sepion only, 45.2 mm SL.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—Known only from the type locality of Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island, WA.

Sepia reesi is a species of cuttlefish native to the southeastern Indian Ocean. Cuttlebone of this species known only from the type locality.

Sepia reesi grows to a mantle length of 45 mm.

Sepia reesi was only known from the type specimen was collected in Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island, Western Australia but a complete specimen was collected west of Rottnest Island (32º00’S 115º15’E) at a depth of 146-150m. Both the type specimen and the more recent specimen are deposited at the Western Australian Museum in Perth.

The specific epithet reesi honours British researcher William James Rees.