In situ observations of living Australian cirrate octopods (Cephalopoda: Octopoda: Cirrata)

Research over the last decade has substantially increased the knowledge of the cirrate octopod (Octopoda: Cirrata) fauna from waters around Australia, but this has relied upon historically collected specimens. In recent years footage of cirrate octopods from Australian waters has become increasingly available, with the increased taxonomic resolution of the group allowing such footage to be better assessed. Herein, a total of ten observations of live cirrates collected using remotely operated vehicles and towed cameras from around Australia over 2016–2022 are examined and allocated to species, genus or family level, including two species of Inopinoteuthis (Cirroteuthidae), three Grimpoteuthis species (Grimpoteuthidae) and one Insigniteuthis species (Opisthoteuthidae). Behaviours and morphology are remarked on for each individual and novel behaviours and morphological features are also reported, including a pelagic cirroteuthid tightly coiling and contracting its arms within its webbing while fin swimming, and pigmented rows of spot-like markings in Grimpoteuthis spp. distinct from the ‘areolar spots’ recorded in Opisthoteuthidae.