Bolitaeninae

BolitaenaJapetella The Bolitaeninae are a subfamily, in the family Amphitretidae,[1] of small, common pelagic octopuses found in all tropical and temperate oceans of the world.

The eyes of both species are laterally compressed and are distinctly smaller and set further apart from the brain on longer optic stalks in Bolitaena than in Japetella.

The light emitted by the photophore is believed to be of a specific wavelength, possibly both preventing miscommunication and the attraction of predators.

Due to the cold (4–5 °C) environment, brooding likely takes several months; the female is thought to forgo food during this entire period.

After hatching, the young octopuses rise to the productive, upper 300 m of the water column where they remain until reaching a certain size (7–20 mm).

Male B. pygmaea , probably taken during the Michael-Sars Expedition