{{Short description|Genus of squids}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Leachia cyclura.png | image_caption = ''Leachia cyclura'' | taxon = Leachia | authority = Lesueur, 1821 | type_species = ''Leachia cyclura'' | type_species_authority = Lesueur, 1821<ref name = WoRMS>{{cite web | url = http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137850 | title = ''Leachia'' Lesueur, 1821 | accessdate = 26 February 2018 | publisher = Flanders Marine Institute | author = Julian Finn | year = 2016 | work = World Register of Marine Species}}</ref> | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = *''Leachia atlantica'' <small>(Degner, 1925)</small> *''Leachia cyclura'' <small>Lesueur, 1821</small> *''Leachia danae'' <small>(Joubin, 1931)</small> *''Leachia dislocata'' <small>Young, 1972</small> *''Leachia ellipsoptera'' <small>(Adams & Reeve, 1848)</small> *''Leachia lemur'' <small>(Berry, 1920)</small> *''Leachia pacifica'' <small>(Issel, 1908)</small> *''Leachia rynchophorus'' <small>(Rochebrune, 1884)</small> | synonyms = *''Drechselia'' <small>Joubin, 1931</small> *''Dyctydiopsis'' <small>Rochebrune, 1884</small> *''Perothis'' <small>Rathke, 1835</small> *''Pyrgopsis'' <small>Rochebrune, 1884</small> | synonyms_ref = <ref name = WoRMS/> }}
'''''Leachia''''' is a genus containing eight species of glass squids. The genus was formerly divided into two subgenera: '''''Leachia''''' and '''''Pyrgopsis''''', but is no longer.<ref name = WoRMS/>
Members of this genus live in tropical and sub-tropical waters worldwide.
== Description == The mantle is up to 20 cm long in the largest species. ''Leachia'' are characterised by the presence of two parallel ridges bearing raised cartilage spikes, which run along the underside of the body near the head. They have large round fins, which often constitute 20–30% of the entire mantle length. Like most glass squids, members of this genus possess a ring of light organs around their eyes. Bioluminescent cells produce light that cancels the shadow cast by their large eyes. Typical of cranchiid squids, juvenile ''Leachia'' species have stalked eyes. As they mature, females develop light organs on the ends of their third arm pairs. These are thought to be used in mating displays to attract males.
== Species ==
* ''Leachia atlantica'' - Eastern North Atlantic * ''Leachia cyclura -'' South Indian Ocean * ''Leachia danae'' (Joubin, 1931) - Gulf of Panama * ''Leachia dislocata'' (Young, 1972) - Eastern Temperate Pacific. * ''Leachia lemur'' ''-'' Western North Atlantic * ''Leachia pacifica'' - South Pacific
Six species are considered valid by Voss, ''et al.'' (1992), who suggests there are 5 more that remain undescribed:
* ''Leachia spp. A -'' Western South Atlantic <ref>{{Cite web|title=Leachia|url=http://tolweb.org/Leachia/19544|access-date=2021-03-04|website=tolweb.org}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}} * Norman, M. 2000. ''Cephalopods: A World Guide''. Hackenheim, ConchBooks, p. 158.
==External links==
{{CephBase Genus|Leachia}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q3202674}}
Category:Cranchiinae Category:Bioluminescent molluscs
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