Cirrata

Encyclopedia : C : CI : CIR : Cirrata

Cirrata is a suborder of the order Octopoda. Most lay people are unaware of this order and even biologists do not know much about it. Cirrata octopuses have a small, internal shell and two fins on their head, while their sister suborder, the Incirrata has neither.

The suborder is named for small cilia-like strands on the arms of the octopus. There is a pair of cirri for each sucker. These are thought to play some role in feeding, perhaps by creating currents of water that help bring food closer to the beak.

Classification

CLASS CEPHALOPODA
*Subclass Nautiloidea: nautilus
*Subclass Coleoidea
**Superorder Decapodiformes: squid, cuttlefish
**Superorder Octopodiformes
***Order Vampyromorphida: Vampire Squid
***Order Octopoda
****Suborder Cirrata: finned deep-sea octopus
*****Family Opisthoteuthidae: umbrella octopus
*****Family Cirroteuthidae
*****Family Stauroteuthidae
****Suborder Incirrata

External link

[Tree of Life website gives information about the classification of cephalopod groups]

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