Megaleledonidae is a family of octopuses in the superfamily Octopodoidea. It was formerly placed in the family Octopodidae sensu lato as the subfamily Megaleledoninae but more recent studies have raised this taxon as a valid family.

Reproduction

Megaleledonidae are known to produce both fewer and larger offspring than octopods that live in more tropical climates. The eggs produced by Megaleldonidae are typically large with very slow embryonic development that can take up the majority of their lifecycle including from months to years.

Megaleledonidae

Genera

The following genera are included within the family Megaleledonidae:

Megaleledonidae

Adelieledone Allcock, Hochberg, Rodhouse & Thorpe, 2003

Bathypurpurata Vecchione, Allcock & Piatkowski, 2005

Bentheledone Robson, 1932

Graneledone Joubin, 1918

Megaleledone Iw. Taki, 1961

Microeledone Norman, Hochberg & Boucher-Rodoni, 2004

Pareledone Robson, 1932

Praealtus Allcock, Collins, Piatkowski & Vecchione, 2004

Tetracheledone Voss, 1955

Thaumeledone Robson, 1930

Velodona Chun, 1915

Vosseledone Palacio, 1978

References

Cephalopod families

Megaleledonidae