Draft:Scaeurgus unicirrhus



Scaeurgus unicirrhus is a species of benthic octopus, commonly referred to as the unihorn octopus. It is a member of the family Octopodidae. This species typically lives in tropical and temperate waters at varying depths, most commonly found in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Little is known of its lifestyle other than its diet and some anatomical and reproductive traits.

Description
Scaeurgus unicirrhus are bottom dwelling octopods, and are often seen displaying benthic habitus (having arms much larger than the body). They are medium sized octopods, with the main feature separating them from other members of their genus is arm length and maximum size of the species, along with distribution.

Distribution and Habitat
Scaeurgus unicirrhus are found most commonly in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean sea. Outside of Florida and the Mediterranean, they are less commonly seen, though reports have shown small numbers along the coast of Africa and Western Europe. Other members of the Scaeurgus genus have had reported populations near New Caledonia. They are found at varying depths (100-500m) on the ocean floor. Due to their typical habitat being warmer, benthic waters, Scaeurgus unicirrhus distribution is limited northward and southward by water temperature.

Feeding Ecology
Scaeurgus unicirrhus mainly feed on other benthic marine organisms. though there is evidence of other animals feeding on them. Of their predators, the Longnose Spurdog is seen to be a predominant one as S. unicirrhus makes up about 50% of their cephalopod diet.

Reproduction
Scaeurgus unicirrhus are gonochoristic. Like other warm-water octopods, they produce large quantities of small eggs (2-2.5 mm) that hatch into pelagic larvae. The morphology of the adult and larvae are similar. The reproduce asynchronously, and spawn between May-August anually.