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[[circled]] 105 [[/circled]]

Cephalopoda, Dec. 3, 1981, VI.

(I could not see any textural components. Perhaps the skin was smooth.) The pattern could also be related to the PH of sepioidia.

The female was much more variable. When first seen her head and back were a soft uniform dove gray. This is a resemblance to Sepia latimanus. With several added components. The extended arms were medium brownish (perhaps "Ord"???) The whole rear edge of the body was defined by a sharp but rather narrow white border, which I will call "WTB", extending roughly from fin to fin [[image]] Could this be related to the RL of sepioidia?? At least one of her fins (the one that was upper because of the sideways tip) was beating madly. Perhaps a flutter.

Some changes set in which I would interpret as signs of hostility or disgust. Perhaps as a reaction to my light. Or perhaps a (natural) reaction to the male as the copulation progresses. Some black appears on the back. Beginning at the border of the WTB. First appears briefly as fine lines, like the so-called "Zebra" of Sepia spp. ((image)) This quickly changes to pure black. A sort of "Black Tail Border" (BTB). Sharply defined against WTB. More smudged in front [[image]] The black expands, gradually and irregularly. Into a sort of Ring-like arrangement, with distinct traces of anterior spots. Also 2 (perhaps sometimes 3) longitudinal smudges or blurs toward rear. More or less comme ça.
[[image]] 
Note this is not a fin stripe. It is on the back, not along the side 
Fins are transparent throughout 
3-stripe version has 1 central and 2 lateral stripes 
Black toward rear can be even more extensive 

COMMENT: The forms, although not the position, of the WTB and BTB are remarkably similar to the WB and BB of sepioidea. The resemblance is so close that it can hardly be coincidental. As I remember, the WB and BB also are associated with courtship and/or copulation. This would appear to be another case - like the DM's of Sepia officinales and Octopus