| Leachia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leachia cyclura | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Oegopsida |
| Family: | Cranchiidae |
| Subfamily: | Cranchiinae |
| Genus: | Leachia Lesueur, 1821 |
| Type species | |
| Leachia cyclura Lesueur, 1821[1] | |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Leachia is agenus containing eight species ofglass squids. The genus was formerly divided into twosubgenera:Leachia andPyrgopsis, but is no longer.[1]
Members of this genus live in tropical and sub-tropical waters worldwide.
Themantle is up to 20 cm long in the largest species.Leachia are characterised by the presence of two parallel ridges bearing raisedcartilage spikes, which run along the underside of the body near the head. They have large roundfins, which often constitute 20–30% of the entire mantle length. Like most glass squids, members of this genus possess a ring oflight organs around their eyes.Bioluminescent cells produce light that cancels the shadow cast by their large eyes. Typical ofcranchiid squids, juvenileLeachia species have stalked eyes. As they mature, females develop light organs on the ends of their thirdarm pairs. These are thought to be used in mating displays to attract males.
Six species are considered valid by Voss,et al. (1992), who suggests there are 5 more that remain undescribed:
