It differs from the closely related Asperoteuthis acanthoderma in lacking integumental tubercles and elongate fins.

[3] The species was filmed alive for the first time in July 2019, recorded off Jarvis Island by the EV Nautilus at a depth of 930 m (3,050 ft).

It was identified as A. mangoldae by Michael Vecchione,[4] an American zoologist who contributed to the description of the species.

The specific name honors Swiss marine biologist Dr. Katharina Mangold-Wirz (1922–2003), who worked at the Laboratoire Arago, Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Banyuls-sur-Mer, France.

Dr Mangold spent a part of her career studying cephalopods in Hawaii.