The First Report of the Deep-Sea Oceanic Octopus Amphitretus pelagicus Hoyle, 1885 from the Exclusive Economic Zone of India

Extremely rare deep-sea pelagic “telescope” octopus Amphitretus pelagicus Hoyle, 1885, is reported for the first time for the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. An immature male octopus, 15.5 cm mantle length, was incidentally caught as bycatch by a mid-water trawler engaged in near-bottom trawling for deep-sea shrimp (Plesionika quasigrandis Chace, 1985). The specimen was caught on February 5, 2024, in the Laccadive Sea (8°33′38.8″ N, 76°16′28.6″ E), off the southwest corner of the Indian coast, at a mean depth of 265 m. The occurrence and distribution of A. pelagicus in relation to major circulation and currents in the Indian Ocean is discussed. This research underscores the importance of systematic monitoring and research efforts to enhance our understanding of marine biodiversity in Indian waters and possible impact of commercial fishery on rare and vulnerable species.