FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Sepiidae 741
Sepia elliptica Hoyle, 1885
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: None /
Sepia esculenta Hoyle, 1885; S. stellifera Homenko
and Khromov, 1984.
FAO names: En - Ovalbone cuttlefish.
Diagnostic characters: Left ventral arm (IV) of
males hectocotylized: 7 or 8 rows of normal
suckers proximally, followed by 7 rows of
reduced suckers, then remainder normal to arm
tip; reduction slight; 2 dorsal series smaller than
remaining suckers.Tentacular club sucker-bearing
face flattened; with 10 to 12 minute suckers in
transverse rows; dorsal and ventral protective
membranes not fused in small specimens, fused at
base of club in large specimens, separated from
stalk by a membrane. Cuttlebone outline oval;
rounded posteriorly; median ribs indistinct; spine
present, keel(s) absent; sulcus deep, wide; anterior
striae inverted U-shape; inner cone limbs
broadening posteriorly, not thickened, outer
margin of inner cone forms a raised, flattened
anteriorly directed ledge; outer cone narrow
anteriorly, broadens posteriorly. Colour: pale
pinkish purple.
ventral view
Size: Maximum mantle length 173 mm.
cuttlebone
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Coastal waters at
depths from 10 to 142 m. In the Gulf of Carpentaria,
both sexes of Sepia elliptica reach maturity at
36 mm mantle length, with broad size ranges of both
sexes over most of the year indicative of extended spawning season.
Distribution: Northern Australia and New Guinea, South China Sea, possibly
Philippines.
Remarks: May be confused with Sepia esculenta which can be distinguished by the
following characters: hectocotylus with 5 or 6 rows of normal suckers proximally,
followed by 6 rows of reduced suckers; dorsal and ventral protective membranes not
fused at base of club; cuttlebone anterior striae inverted V-shape, and inner cone
limbs thickened posteriorly.
?
?
dorsal ventral
hectocotylus
(after Hoyle, 1886)
tentacular club
(subadult)