Idiosepiidae, also known as the pigmy squids, is a family of squids in the superorder Decapodiformes.[2][3] They are the smallest known squids.[3]
It is the only family in the monotypic order Idiosepida[4] and the monotypic superfamily Idiosepioidea.[5] The species in the family Idiosepiidae are related to the cuttlefish in the order Sepiida and the bobtail squid in the order Sepiolida. The family includes the species tropical pigmy squid (Idiosepius pygmaeus).
Idiosepiidae are the smallest known squids: males can grow to about 15 mm (0.6 in) and females to about 21 mm (0.8 in) in mantle length. The mantle is elongate, obovate to cigar-shaped, with its posterior margin bluntly pointed at the distal tip. The head isprominent while the arms are short. In males, both ventral arms are differentiated, but they are also different from each other.[3]
Idiosepiidae have an Indo-west Pacific distribution, from South Africa in the west to Japan and Russia in the east. They appear to be short-lived. They generally live in shallow water among seagrass and mangroves. They often adhere themselves to substrate, enabling camouflage and concealment during the day. They appear to be sit-and-wait predators. They are solitary. Mating is promiscuous with multiple matings. Young individuals are planktonic.[3]
The following genera are recognised in the family Idiosepiidae:[2]
Idiosepiidae, also known as the pigmy squids, is a family of squids in the superorder Decapodiformes. They are the smallest known squids.
It is the only family in the monotypic order Idiosepida and the monotypic superfamily Idiosepioidea. The species in the family Idiosepiidae are related to the cuttlefish in the order Sepiida and the bobtail squid in the order Sepiolida. The family includes the species tropical pigmy squid (Idiosepius pygmaeus).
