Family Vampyroteuthidae
Genus Vampyroteuthis Chun. 1903
Type Species (monotypy) Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun

Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun. 1903

• 1903. Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun. Aus den Tiefen des Weltmeeres. p. 88.
• 1949. Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun: Pickford. Dana Rep., 32 (external morphology).

Thanks to Dr. Pickford's researches we now know a great deal about the anatomy, growth stages and distribution of this species. Pickford has shown that all the described forms of the Vampyromorpha are in fact stages in the development of one species and that it represents a separate Order of dibranchiate cephalopods.

Vampyroteuthis infernalis has not previously been recorded from New Zealand although the Galathea obtained a specimen from the Kermadec Trench. The Zoology Department team at one station obtained two specimens (mantle lengths approximately 55 mm and 35 mm respectively), a very notable addition to New Zealand's bathypelagic fauna.

Locality: VUZ 94, approx. 42° 2′ S, 175° 22′ E, south of Cape Palliser in 4 metre net towed at 500–600 fathoms over c. 1,400 fathoms.